RNLI introduces signage in bid to make UK beaches safer
by RNLI 14 Mar 2005 08:30 GMT
Visitors to UK beaches can look forward to the prospect of safer fun at the seaside as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution today (Monday 14 March) reveals how it has developed and created a new safety sign standard, and how it will encourage beach owners and managers to adopt the system.
The charity believes that as the new standard is adopted, it will lead to a reduction in the number of preventable accidents at the beach, and ultimately to fewer seaside deaths. The RNLI hopes it could become the 'green cross code' of seaside safety.
Already the signage standard has received the stamp of approval and endorsement from the British Standards Institute, the Committee for Water Safety, RoSPA, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the National Beach Safety Council.
Currently there is no standard UK beach signage system in existence. Rather, the various beach owners (from local authorities to private landowners) make independent decisions about safety signage on their beaches under their 'duty of care' responsibilities.
Steve Wills, RNLI Beach Safety Manager, in a presentation today (Monday 14 March) at the 2005 National Water Safety Congress in Bournemouth explains:
'Signage is often questioned after a drowning and is subsequently highlighted by coroners and others as a means to reduce risk in the future. Sometimes it is noted that there has been a lack of safety information or that the information that was provided was poor at educating those visiting the beach.
'RNLI research also notes that a high level of confusion exists among the general public in the way they interpret beach safety signs. The RNLI believes that the new signage standard will ensure that key beach safety information is simple to understand - by both adults and children - and is presented in a uniform manner.
'We would urge all beach operators and owners when reviewing their beach information to adopt the new signage and so help create a national standard. This can only enhance their reputation as safe destination providers.
'Any local authorities, beach owners and managers who are interested in finding out more about the standard, or how they can adopt and implement the new system, or wanting to receive a free copy of the RNLI guide about the beach signage, can contact Steve Wills on 01202 663000 or swills@rnli.org.uk.'
The RNLI completed trials of the new beach safety signage at Weymouth (Dorset) and South Hams (Devon) last year. The first UK beaches in the south of England that will embrace the new scheme will have their new signs in place at the end of spring.
RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews have 180 years' experience of saving lives while RNLI lifeguards have been patrolling beaches in the south of England since 2002.
Currently 59 beach areas are patrolled by RNLI Lifeguards. 2004 statistics reveal that on just these few beaches alone RNLI Lifeguards saved 53 lives and aided 9,041 people whilst dealing with a total of 8,101 separate incidents.
The British public will be reassured to know just how many highly trained RNLI lifeboat crews and beach lifeguards are looking out for them incase relaxation and fun turns to worry and anxiety. Now they may also be pleased to learn that the RNLI national beach safety signage standard could be to hand where there is no lifeguard presence.
Currently a standard for international beach signage is being devised, and the RNLI's already developed UK standard is helping to forge this. So understanding the new beach signage should also ensure that UK citizens will stay safer when they holiday abroad at foreign beaches.