5.0 Risk Management - Surf Life Saving NSW

5. RISK MANAGEMENT 

SURF LIFE SAVING NSW CLUB GUIDE 2012/2013 | 42

5.1 INSURANCE 

It is vital that surf life saving clubs protect their assets with 

adequate insurance. There are many types of insurance 

which may need to be considered, some of which are 

organised by Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) and some 

which need to be organised by clubs. 

SLSNSW organises the following Policies on behalf of all 

affiliated Clubs: 

• Public Liability Insurance – which protects the Club 

from financial loss caused by an injury to a member of 

the public or damage to their belongings whilst they 

are on your property, usually as a result of some form 

of negligence 

• Workers Compensation Insurance – is provided by 

WorkCover NSW in the event of a member incurring 

a personal injury whilst performing approved surf 

lifesaving duties 

• Directors and Officers Liability Insurance – which 

covers damages or defence costs in the event of a 

lawsuit for alleged wrongful acts arising from a member 

who is acting in their capacity as a Directors or Officer 

of the Club 

All premiums are billed to Clubs within New South Wales 

and must be paid by their due date to ensure that the Club 

remains insured at all times. 

Individual Club Policies 

It is essential that adequate protection is acquired for 

club assets. Before acquiring insurance, it is important to 

have an idea of the value of the assets you wish to protect. 

Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Ltd has insurance policies 

available that can be utilised by Clubs in New South Wales. 

Please contact SLSNSW for details regarding these policies. 

There is a range of standard insurance policies which Clubs 

need to consider taking out, including: 

Industrial Special Risks 

• Material loss or damage 

• Fire 

• Pluvius (rain) 

• Burglary 

• Accidental loss or damage 

• Theft of property 

• Money (including whilst in transit) 

• Removal of debris 

• Glass 

• Landscaping 

• Fusion 

• Deterioration of refrigerated goods 

• Consequential Loss 

Motor Vehicle 

• Trailer/All Terrain Vehicles 

• Vehicles 

Marine Hull 

• IRB and motor 

• Surf boats 

• Rescue Water Craft 

• Transit cover (gear and equipment) 

Other insurances may be required in some instances, for 

which Clubs are responsible for paying their own insurance. 

References 

NSW Department of Sport & Recreation 

http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportsclubs/ryc_risk_insur.asp 


5.2 WORKERS COMPENSATION 

Workers Compensation is provided by WorkCover NSW 

in the event of a member incurring a personal injury whilst 

performing approved surf lifesaving duties. The workers 

compensation system can provide financial members with 

benefits and assistance if a personal injury is sustained 

that interferes with their paid work life and/or to cover 

reasonable medical and rehabilitation expenses. This 

system assists you to recover so that you can return to 

your volunteering and/or work duties as safely and as 

soon as possible. 

WorkCover NSW will assess the claim and advise if 

liability has been accepted or declined after the required 

documentation is provided. WorkCover NSW may require 

the claimant to attend a medical examination by a doctor 

nominated by the Authority. 

When are you covered? 

The cover under WorkCover is limited to compensation 

payable as described in the Workers Compensation (Bush 

Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987, whilst the 

member is acting in their capacity as a Surf Lifesaver. The 

cover extends to official duties anywhere in Australia. 

All Surf Lifesaving activities may need to be verified by 

proof of entry to competition, patrol roster, volunteer 

roster, patrol log book, IRB log book, radio log book etc. 

Training and competition can only be at authorised and 

organised sessions. Members who compete in elite events 

where prize money is paid or professional sportspersons 

or competitors, who compete in events not under the 

control of the SLSA, may need to take separate insurance 

or workers compensation. 

The procedure in the event of a personal injury to a 

member includes: 

• Ensure the injured member receives appropriate 

treatment 

• Notify the Club Safety Officer as soon as practicable 

• Complete the Incident Report Form and enter into the 

Incident Reporting Database (IRD) 

• Complete the Notification of Injury Form and fax to 

WorkCover (02 9287 4828) within 48 hours 

• Provide WorkCover NSW with any documents 

requested to assess or manage your claim 

If your injury has or will result in you being away from your 

paid employment for 7 days or greater, you will need to 

contact WorkCover immediately (1800 221 960) to advise 

of your injury; 

Workers Compensation Forms 

WorkCover NSW forms and relevant Workers 

Compensation information can be found on the SLSNSW 

website under Members/Administrative Resources 

Reference 

Surf Life Saving NSW – Workcover Information 

http://www.surflifesaving.com.au/administrative-resources/ 

w1/i1004093/ 

WorkCover NSW 

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/INJURIESCLAIMS/ 

MAKINGACLAIM/Pages/default.aspx 


5.3 HEALTH AND SAFETY AND MEMBER PROTECTION 

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) endeavours to assure 

the very highest standards of health and safety for all 

volunteers and anyone that may be affected by what we do. 

Doing what is reasonably practicable to ensure the health 

and safety of volunteers, staff and the public is a legal 

requirement as set out in the Work Health and Safety Act 

2011. This is especially relevant to our members holding 

a leadership role in the club. Health and safety is not a 

separate issue to be managed, but is an integral part of 

all SLSNSW activities. 

Resources 

There is a range of health and safety resources for members 

involved in surf lifesaving activities. The ‘Guidelines for 

Safer Surf Clubs’ gives members’ detailed information on 

health and safety matters in surf life saving clubs. These 

guidelines cover procedures, forms and direction on health 

and safety issues. Several other resources also accompany 

this series including an online Health and Training course 

(accessed via Lifesaving Online), member information 

brochure and various awareness posters and stickers. 

These resources can be found in the Secure Resource 

Library on the SLSA website. 

Information regarding the new Work Health and Safety Act 

2011 and how it impacts our clubs and members can be 

found on the SLSNSW website. 

The Australian Coastal Public Safety Guidelines provide 

a useful resource for club management on safety and 

wellbeing in a coastal and beach environment. Clubs may 

purchase the guidelines via the Creata website if additional 

copies are required. 

A range of policies and procedures for members involved in 

surf lifesaving activities can be found on the SLSA website. 

Keep an eye out as policies change and new ones are 

posted from time to time. 

Member Protection 

Surf Life Saving is committed to providing a safe 

environment for its members, which is free from harassment 

and abuse, and promotes respectful and positive behaviour 

and values. 

The SLSA Member Protection Policy (Policy 6.5) provides 

a code of conduct forming the basis of appropriate and 

ethical conduct, which everyone must abide by. This 

includes members in both volunteer and paid capacities. 

It is essential to maintain the health and well-being of its 

members and the community it services. 

The policy is designed to complement the strategies 

practised in NSW Clubs and is an essential part of our 

organisations proactive approach to tackling inappropriate 

behaviour. Anti-Harassment, Complaints, Child Protection 

and Pregnancy policies are among the key components 

supporting the Member Protection Policy. 

Child Protection 

Keeping children and young people safe in the workplace is 

part of SLSNSW’s broader responsibility, as an employer, to 

manage risks within our surf clubs. 

The Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, 

require Surf Life Saving New South Wales (SLSNSW) to ask 

all new members and volunteers and members renewing 

their membership after a leave of absence of at least one 

season, to sign the Volunteer / Student Declaration. 

All new members, and volunteers, over the age of 18 and 

those members under the age of 18 who work with children 

(eg: 16yr olds who help train the U/8 Nippers, provide water 

safety for Nippers, etc) MUST sign the Volunteer / Student 

Declaration ONCE ONLY. Members under 18 years can 

have a parent or guardian co-sign. 

The Commission for Children and Young People has 

also developed other resources to help you create a safer, 

friendlier environment for kids. For further information and 

for details on who is a prohibited person please refer to 

their website. 

References 

Surf Life Saving NSW – Work Health & Safety Act 2011 

http://www.surflifesaving.com.au/administrative-resources/ 

w1/i1004093/ 

Surf Life Saving Australia – Member Safety and 

Wellbeing Policy 

http://www.slsa.com.au/default. 

aspx?s=adminresources&id=44 

NSW Commission for Children and Young People 

www.kids.nsw.gov.au 


5.4 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE 

The Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Grievance Procedure 

information will assist you with actions that may be taken 

when a complaint has been made in regards to an act, 

behaviour, omission, situation or decision that someone 

thinks is unfair, unjustified, unlawful and/or a breach of this 

policy. The complaint may be about individual or group 

behaviour; extremely serious or relatively minor; a single 

incident or a series of incidents; and the person about who 

the allegation is made may admit to the allegations or 

deny them. 

Surf Life Saving Australia Policy 6.6 – Grievance Procedure 

outlines what to do if you have a grievance and provides 

additional information such as kinds of remedial action 

that is available. Another policy that may be read in 

conjunction with the Grievance Procedure is Policy 6.5 the 

Member Safety and Wellbeing Policy. Section 6 of the SLSA 

Regulations also provides guidance on the judiciary and 

disciplinary procedures that are to be followed. 

What to do if you experience harassment 

or bullying: 

Ask the person 

to stop 

Speak to your 

Club Grievance 

Officer or 

President 

Report the 

matter to the 

Club or Branch 

Grievance 

Officer 

If the matter is not dealt with to your satisfaction speak 

to your Club Grievance Officer or President. All serious 

breaches of discrimination and harassment (such as sexual 

abuse) should be reported directly to the SLSNSW General 

Manager/CEO immediately. 

References 

Surf Life Saving Australia – Grievance Procedure 



Surf Life Saving Australia Regulations

5.0 Risk Management - Surf Life Saving NSW

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