Why are there changes being made to health and safety at SLSNZ
Events?
Additional diligence into all aspects of health and safety at
SLSNZ events has been undertaken following the unfortunate tragedy
that happened at the 2010 Australian Surf Life Saving
Championships.
There were a number of independent investigations and a coronial
enquiry conducted as a result of the death of Saxon Bird. We
have been working through all recommendations to ensure key
learning's are considered alongside our current practices.
Why high visibility vests?
At the 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships high
visibility vests were introduced and required to be worn by all
competitors across all arenas. Vests have also been introduced into
some State competitions and getting a lot of traction in Australia.
SLSA are now working towards integrating them throughout their
organisation.
The vests received favourable feedback by athletes and surf
officials at the 2011 Australian Championships and high praise in
the various medians of review. The vests play an important
role in SLSA's larger health and safety plan and are considered a
positive addition to the event. In a survey of over 700 members
conducted at the 2011 Australian Championships; it was concluded
that 92.2% of athletes rated the improvement to competitor safety
of the new Lycra vest from 'medium improved safety' to 'highly
improved safety'. Also 79.6% of competitors found the Lycra vests
to be of 'medium comfort' to 'very comfortable' and 60% of
competitors would you choose to wear a high visibility Lycra vest
in events where they are not compulsory.
How will SLSNZ introduce high visibility vests?
In 2011-12, high visibility vests will be introduced in time for
the following events:-
- 2012 State NZ Surf Life Saving Championships
- 2012 State Masters Surf Life Saving Championships
- 2012 Northern Region Championships
- 2012 Eastern Regional Championships
- 2012 Central Regional Championships
- 2012 Southern Regional Championships
2011-12 will be a season where we introduce and begin to
integrate the wearing of high visibility vests into SLSNZ
events.
While the wearing of vestswill not becompulsory or mandatory for
this season, SLSNZ strongly encourages the wearing of them. This
has come about from consultation with the health and safety team
from our 2010/2011 events, consultation with SLSA and consultation
with the Surf Officials Leadership Group. All involved felt very
strongly that safety is and always will be paramount.
What vest purchase options do I have?
The vests available through SLSNZ are a quality product and have
been purchased in conjunction with SLSA.
There are three purchase options available:-
- State Branded Vests: State have very generously subsidised the
Competition Vests and now due to additional funding these vests are
available at a cost of $2.00 per unit. These vests will have State
branding on the front and a space available for club and individual
sponsors on the rear.
- Unbranded Vests: SLSNZ will also make unbranded vests available
for purchase at the cost price of $17 per unit. These won't be
carried as a stock item and will be obtained from our supplier if
and when orders are received from clubs. These vests will have the
same space available as the State vests on the front and on the
rear for club and member sponsors.
- Private Vest Purchase: If clubs or members wish to purchase
their own style vests they can do so using the following colour
guide:-
- Powder Pink 3194 (Female)
- Fluro Green 3098 (Male)
SLSNZ understands that while there are considerable subsidized
options on offer, it is an additional cost to clubs that may not
have been budgeted for. Space has been created for clubs to sell
advertising space to fund the price of the vest and to support
local sponsors.
Please see 'Vests Sizing Guide' for guidelines for
selecting Vest sizes. The vests are due to arrive in the country
late November and will be sold on the SLSNZ online shop.
Download the Surf Sport Vest Guideline document
(pdf, 183kb)
Ongoing vest development
This season, SLSNZ will work with selected clubs and athletes to
further develop the high visibility vests. This will include
looking into additional cuts/designs and importantly, how to
integrate club colours into the look and feel of high visibility
vests. This will also have long term implications for events such
as Surf League and international competition attire.
What are other health and safety initiatives are also being
looked at by SLSNZ?
SLSNZ already has very good health and safety systems in place
at its events. However, the independent investigations and coronial
enquiry made a number of other recommendations that will be looked
at also. Some have already happened and some will be investigated
over the medium to long term. It is important to note that high
visibility vests are only a small (but important) part of the
overall health and safety initiatives that SLSNZ has taken onboard
from the recommendations.
Other areas looked into include:-
- Safety systems
- Structure and make-up of the operations team at events (command
and control)
- Qualifications of people with health and safety responsibility
at events
- Search and rescue response at events
- Contingency planning
- Decision making systems and responsibility at events
- Additional safety devices EG Personal floatation devices
inflatable vests and helmets
For any further queries regarding Competition Vests please
contact SLSNZ Event Manager Haley on 0274571012 or 04 382 7212
Download an electronic copy of this State
Competition Vest information here (pdf,131 kb)
