SV8 - Management of Lifeguards

Purpose

To ensure there is a defined responsibility for the management of Lifeguard staff at an aquatic facility.

Description

The owner or operator of an Aquatic Facility should nominate an employee who is responsible for the planning and implementation of Lifeguard Services and the supervision of aquatic environments (Manager).

The Manager should be a minimum of 18 years of age and senior enough to represent and engage with the stakeholders (i.e. owners, operators, lifeguards, pool plant operators, lessors) at the aquatic facility.

The Manager should oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and continual improvement of the Supervision Plan and/or Operations Manual, its operating procedures and the training and exercise activities of staff relevant to the operations manual.

The Manager should engage with Lifeguard staff on a regular basis, but at a minimum 4 times a year to ensure ongoing communication, consultation and implementation of the Supervision Plan.

Where changes to the supervision plan are identified or referenced in these meetings, minutes and action items of the meeting should be recorded and kept for at least 7 years from the date of the meeting.

Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of a Manager should be documented and should include:

1. Workshopping and identifying aquatic risks that could reasonably produce emergency situation
2. Developing a Supervision Plan
3. Ensuring resources are provided to ensure that successful implementation of the Supervision Plan
4. Nominating a validity period of no more than 12 months apart for the Supervision Plan and associated attachments
5. Ensuring that the Supervision Plan is identifiable and available to all staff, contractors and volunteers within the aquatic facility
6. Establishing and maintaining Lifeguard Services which are operated in accordance with the Supervision Plan
7. Ensuring the all staff and where applicable contractors and volunteers are inducted to the Supervision Plan
8. Developing a work plan to support the implementation, training, exercising and reviewing of the Supervision Plan
9. Developing and implementing exercises (practical scenarios) for Lifeguards, Learn to Swim Instructors, Coaches and other staff and volunteers
10. Monitoring, reviewing and continually improving the Supervision Plan
11. Maintaining a current register of Lifeguards, Learn to Swim Instructors, Coaches and other staff and volunteers and their availability, qualifications, skills and contact details.
12. Providing advice through profession sources on the indemnity and insurance of Lifeguards, Learn to Swim Instructors, Coaches and other staff and volunteers (including themselves).
13. Maintain professional currency in the industry pertaining to the responsibilities of their role.

Training and Qualifications

Initial Training

The owner or operator of an aquatic facility should provide training to Managers to enable them to competently execute their obligations. Initial training should address, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• Identifying risks in the aquatic environment
• Developing Supervision plans
• Implementing Supervision requirements
• Managing emergency situations
• Reviewing and updating lifeguard operations

If not completed within this competencies training must include information on the subject of persons at the facility with a disability and those from culturally and Linguistic Diverse (CALD) backgrounds applicable to the aquatic facility.

Currency Training and Professional Development

The Manager should maintain currency in the skills required to perform their roles and responsibilities. This includes but is not limited to:

• Rostering and planning supervision and training activities
• Conducting and facilitating training and emergency exercise activities for staff
• Maintaining industry knowledge pertaining to the changes in the GSPO and other like industry references

References

• Lifeguarding, 5th Edition – Royal Life Saving Society Australia
• SIS– Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package