What is this about?
This Safety Alert will remind us of the importance of our Triple A’s for Aquatic Safety — Being Alert, Aware and Active Lifeguards on the pool deck when supervising the aquatic areas of our venues. This means eliminating any distractions, including mobile phones and smartwatches.
The Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations have outlined within the Aquatic Supervision module that mobile phones or smartwatches are not to be used for personal reasons on the pool deck whilst being responsible for aquatic supervision. Phones should be stored within the staff room or appropriate storage area, and watches should not be used for any communication purposes.
Phones and watches are unnecessary distractions that take a Lifeguard’s focus away from the role they are employed and rostered to complete and put the public’s safety at risk.
If you are waiting on important phone calls or notifications, please advise your line manager and they can monitor your device and relieve you from supervision duties to take the appropriate call/s.
What can you do to help?
Everyone is responsible for ensuring a safe environment for our community and employees. If you see a Lifeguard, Duty Manager or any other role supervising the water using a phone or smartwatch, please report it to the Venue Manager.
Nothing is more important than the safety of those in and around water.
Please include this Safety Alert in all new staff inductions and in-service training sessions.
Need support or advice?
Contact the Safety Team members below via Teams for clarification or assistance.
- Liz Van Deventer, Group Health & Safety Manager
- Ettienne Verster, Safety Advisor
- Meliza Smith, Health & Safety Administrator
- Scott Vanderheyden, Leisure Aquatic Safety Manager
