5
100-BZM-01-IGDO ©2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
(WSPS) 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
• Missing a rung on the
guard chair ladder
• Improper or
unauthorized use of the
lifeguard chair
• Lack of guardrails for
lifeguard platforms
• Develop procedures for rotating stations where one guard provides safety
supervision while the other descends the guard chair, and the other provides
supervision while the other climbs the guard chair; this ensures guards have
the time and focus to safety use the ladder.
• Strongly discourage staff from jumping down from the lifeguard chair, even in
emergency situations, due to the risk of staff injury. An injured guard is no
longer able to help the swimmer in distress!
Resources
• Safety Check: Step Ladder Safety
5. Musculoskeletal Disorder Hazards
Hazards Prevention Tips
Aquatics staff perform physically
demanding jobs that can put
strain on many body parts.
Common injuries in aquatics
include:
• Shoulder injuries
• Low back strains
• Foot pain and disorders
• Leg pain and leg
disorders, especially
lower leg
Main causes of musculoskeletal
disorders from waterfront tasks:
• Long duration tasks
including prolonged
sitting, prolonged
standing, prolonged
gripping of aids or
objects, and repetitive
movements such as
pacing
• Repetitive tasks
• Awkward postures from
rescue carries, bending
to assist young patrons
• Excessive force from
lifting and moving heavy
Training
• Provide manual material handling training.
• Provide MSD Awareness training.
• Train staff on reporting of injuries that may have a slow onset; encourage
workers to report symptoms of MSDs early before the pain and discomfort
progresses into a disabling injury.
Job Rotation and Other Protections
• Rotate waterfront staff regularly between standing, sitting, and walking
positions.
• Choose aids such as torpedo buoys with straps so staff can sling them over
their shoulder rather than continuously grip them.
• Ensure adequate staffing to ensure a team approach to lifting and moving
heavy patients and awkward rescue equipment.
Resources
• MSD Hazards Checklist
• Ergo Insights Safe Manual Material Handling
• Job Aid - Manual Material Handling
