Free guide complements a water and beach safety signs and flags standard to help everyone understand water-based risks
In October, we highlighted the work of Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s national coastal safety manager, Dr Mick Kearney, in promoting the importance of consistent, standards-based signage around water. A new guide makes the case for standards even clearer.
Mick and the Surf Life Saving team are on a mission to improve the public’s understanding of water-related risks. As such, they’ve developed an excellent guide based on the internationally recognised AS/NZS 2416:2010 Water safety signs and beach safety flags – Specifications for water safety signs used in workplaces and public areas.
The guide complements AS/NZS 2416 (available through our webshop) and makes recommendations for beach water safety signs and symbols. It also provides land managers with information for setting up effective, consistent signage on their beaches and waterfronts.
Councillors and land managers urged to use standardised signage
Mick urges all councils and land managers to adhere to the standard.
“The benefits of standardising the design and content of beach safety information are immeasurable but one thing is certain, our beaches will become safer as more operators adopt these standard measures,” said Mick.
"Land managers have a moral responsibility and a duty of care to see that visitors to their beaches are reasonably safe, which entails providing adequate safety measures."
Standards New Zealand’s Sector Engagement Lead, Ceara Owen, acknowledged the initiative.
“I commend Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s commitment and advocacy for standardised signage and helping communities and visitors to know the risks. Where standards are designed to save lives, as is the case with AS/NZS 2416:2010 Water safety signs and beach safety flags – Specifications for water safety signs used in workplaces and public areas, they should be the default for signage design so there are no barriers to keeping people safe. Well done Surf Life Saving New Zealand."
By using and referencing AS/NZS 2416:2010 in risk assessments and reports, councillors and land managers can provide assurance to communities that measures are in place to help them enjoy local water bodies safely.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand has kindly shared its guide for free.
A Guide to Beach Safety Signage in New Zealand [PDF, 1.2 MB]