15.2. Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs Guidelines

Surf Life Saving Queensland is committed to raising the awareness of the health and safety issues associated with smoking. The aim of this guideline is to ensure the provision of a smoke free environment and to ensure the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products does not compromise the safety or health of lifeguards or others.

Apart from the known risks to health, smoking while on duty does not present an appropriate image. Smoking also brings with it additional hazards in terms of fire safety.

LIFEGUARDS SHALL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SMOKE WHILE IN UNIFORM, WHILE ON DUTY OR WHILE REPRESENTING THE ORGANISATION.

Where appropriate, information explaining the health risks associated with smoking will be provided.

TOBACCO AND OTHER SMOKING PRODUCTS AMENDMENT ACT 2004
The following are extracts from the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Act 2004.

Division 3 – Other Outdoor Places:
26ZH Person must not smoke at a patrolled beach

1. A person must not smoke in a patrolled beach area of a patrolled beach. Maximum penalty – 20 penalty units.
2. In this section –
   line means an imaginary line.
   patrolled beach is a beach on which red and yellow flags mark the boundaries for safe swimming at the beach.
   patrolled beach area, of a patrolled beach, is the area within –
   1. A line, at right angles to 1 end of a straight line between the flags, extending seawards for 50 m and landwards to the extent of any registered land; and
   2. Another straight line, at right angles to the other end of the line between the flags extending seawards for 50 m and landwards to the extent of any registered land; and
   3. A line joining the landwards ends of the lines mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) that follow the boundary of any registered land; and
   4. A straight line joining the seaward ends of the lines mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).
      registered land means –
      1. Freehold land on the free hold land register under the Land Title Act 1994; or
      2. Leasehold land, road, reserve, trust land, license, permit or state Hosing lease, recorded on a register under the Land Act 1994.
         seawards means in the direction of the water to which the flags relate

26ZI Person must not smoke at a prescribed outdoor swimming area

1. A person must not smoke at a prescribed outdoor swimming area between sunrise and sunset. Maximum penalty – 20 penalty units.
2. In this section –
   outdoor swimming area means an area in, or adjacent to, a pool or other body of water used by the public for swimming.
   Example – An artificial beach
   prescribed outdoor swimming area means an outdoor swimming area, or part of an outdoor swimming area, prescribed under a regulation.
   

26ZM State and local governments administer this division

1. Both the State and local governments have a role in administering this division.
2. However, nothing in this division imposes a duty on a local government to enforce this division.
   

26ZN Role of local government
In exercising its jurisdiction of local government in enforcing this division, the local government has its executive role –

1. To administer and enforce this division in the local government’s area; and
2. For a patrolled beach area of a patrolled beach or a prescribed outdoor swimming area whether it is adjacent to or within the local government’s area.

Alcohol and Drug Guidelines

Surf Life Saving Queensland is committed to raising the awareness of the health and safety issues associated with the consumption of alcohol and use of drugs (including medical drugs). The aim of this guideline is to ensure the provision of a healthy environment and to ensure the use of drugs or alcohol does not compromise the safety or health of lifeguard personnel or others.

Alcohol

• It is recommended that lifeguards abstain from consuming alcohol 12-24 hours prior to patrol to ensure 0% balance at the commencement of their duty.
• Lifeguards are not permitted to have a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.00 at the commencement of any patrol.
• Alcohol is not to be consumed whilst wearing any ALSQ uniform.
• Lifeguards are not permitted to enter a licensed area whilst on duty or dressed in a Lifeguard uniform.
  

Drugs

• The use of non-prescribed drugs is completely and utterly abhorred by SLSQ, and will not be condoned to any degree.
• Personnel shall not present themselves for duty whilst under the influence of any illegal drug.
• The use of drugs properly prescribed by a doctor for medicinal or recuperative purposes may be taken however the Lifeguard Supervisor must be advised as to the type of medication and all possible side effects.
• If these prescribed drugs impair or disrupt your senses (i.e. anti-histamine), you must advise the Lifeguard Supervisor immediately and stand down from your duties until the completion of the prescription.
  

Operating Plant And Equipment
Operators need to be aware that operating plant and equipment, including vehicles and power craft, under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can be dangerous. Lifeguards are not permitted to have a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.00 whilst operating any equipment. Operators must also be aware of the legal requirements covering the operation of different classes of vehicles and power craft, which in some cases require a blood alcohol reading of zero for operating certain types of equipment.

Education And Awareness
Where appropriate, information explaining the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse, particularly as it relates to health and safety, may be provided. In addition, where it is considered appropriate, advice on counselling and appropriate treatment may be made available.

Penalties
Personnel presenting themselves for duty whilst under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs shall be immediately suspended from duties and may be referred for disciplinary action. Cases that indicate evidence of illegal drug use will be referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation.