The provision of safety risk assessment auditing has proven a popular and necessary service offered by Surf Life Saving WA, with the use of the ABSAMP research, best practice signage manuals and professional auditors. SLSWA offers risk assessments to governments, private development contractors and organisations around the world.

Objectives of an Aquatic Risk and Safety Audit:

The primary objective of any audit is to reduce the number and severity of hazards, risks, and the potential injuries at the location. The results of the audit must be measured against agreed criteria or performance indicators. The objectives of the system of measurement should be:

• to ensure that the standards achieved at any given location conform as closely as possible to the objectives set out in the responsible authority's safety and signage policies
• to provide information and resources to enable the assessment of the success of the strategy
• to maintain a continuous improvement strategy towards safety and signage

These objectives can be achieved by setting standards, comparing actual results with targets and, where necessary, taking corrective action. A well-developed audit system will:

• provide an objective review of the status of aquatic safety and signage management within the responsible authority;
• identify weakness in management or control systems and highlight aspects requiring corrective action;
• recognise success in aquatic safety management, i.e. where the set standard has been achieved or exceeded; and
• evaluate the level of compliance or non-compliance with statutory or other appropriate standards.

Beach Hazards

In order to address public risk on beaches we need to know both the nature of the hazards and the type and level of usage. The ABSAMP database provides accurate information on the nature and level of beach hazards, as well as categorising each beach into one of fifteen general types. The level of public usage can be assessed using daily beach patrol reports, and an assessment of the location and level of access, parking, accommodation and facilities, all contained in the database, to gauge likely seasonal usage.

Beach hazards are elements of the beach environment that expose the public to danger or harm, such as surf zone topography, water depth, waves and rip currents. Every beach in the ABSAMP database is given a beach hazard rating, which refers to the scaling of a beach according to its associated hazards. The rating ranges from a low rating of 1 (least hazardous) to a high rating of 10 (extremely hazardous), and is based on a combination of beach type and wave height. The beach hazard rating was developed to provide a simple, yet effective method of scientifically rating both the average and prevailing hazards on each beach, for the range of conditions that each beach may experience. Public beach risk is a product of the beach hazard rating and the level of beach usage.

ABSAMP is based on integration of a scientific understanding of beaches, their hazards and usage, together with the expertise in beach safety management and resources of SLSA, utilising the latest technology for data management and analysis. The program has already had wide application and impact on the management of Australian beach systems, and will play an increasing role in their management into the next century, particularly as growing coastal development, population and tourism all demand accessible, yet safe, beaches for public recreation and tourism.

Signage

Risk Opinion

Coastal and foreshore areas attract a wide range of visitors and provide a variety of active and passive recreational opportunities, in addition to being a habitat for flora and fauna. Nationally there is an increasing pressure of risk management and safety issues associated with such coastal locations. In response to this increased pressure it has become necessary for coastal management authorities to take preventative actions in an attempt to avoid foreseeable loss of life and injury to members of the public visiting the coastal locations they manage.

For further information contact Chris Peck, Operations Manager, on (08) 9243 9444.