Product Overview

Summary: This Spearfishing Safety Guidelines Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for conducting spearfishing activities safely in Australian waters. It helps businesses and clubs manage marine, diving and vessel-related risks, ensuring workers, contractors and participants return to shore safely while meeting WHS obligations.

Spearfishing presents a unique combination of hazards: water immersion, breath-holding, sharp equipment, vessel traffic, marine life and rapidly changing weather and sea conditions. Without a structured procedure, even experienced operators can overlook critical checks such as buddy arrangements, surface support, equipment inspection and emergency response planning. This Spearfishing Safety Guidelines SOP provides a robust, defensible system for planning, authorising and supervising spearfishing activities in line with Australian WHS expectations.

Designed for businesses, clubs and education providers that facilitate spearfishing in a work or organised activity context, this document sets out clear roles and responsibilities, pre‑activity risk assessments, participant screening, and mandatory safety briefings. It standardises how hazards such as shallow-water blackout, entanglement, boat strike and marine stings are controlled through practical measures, including depth and time limits, buddy protocols, surface marker use, and emergency communication requirements. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, improve participant safety culture, and reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage.

Key Benefits

• Ensure spearfishing activities are planned and conducted in line with Australian WHS legislation and recognised marine safety practices.
• Reduce the risk of drowning, shallow-water blackout, entanglement and marine life incidents through structured controls and buddy systems.
• Standardise safety briefings, pre-dive checks and post-activity reviews across all staff, contractors and trip leaders.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers and clients by using a documented, repeatable safety management process.
• Improve incident readiness with clear procedures for in‑water emergencies, vessel-based rescues and communication with emergency services.

Who is this for?

• Outdoor and Adventure Tourism Operators
• Charter Boat Skippers
• Dive and Spearfishing Instructors
• Recreational Activity Coordinators
• WHS Managers in Marine and Aquatic Operations
• School and University Outdoor Education Coordinators
• Sporting Club Committee Members
• Marine Parks and Aquatic Program Supervisors
• Camp and Recreation Centre Managers
• Commercial Diving Supervisors (non-occupational spearfishing contexts)

Hazards Addressed

• Drowning and near-drowning incidents
• Shallow-water blackout and hypoxia during breath-hold diving
• Entanglement in float lines, reels, nets, weed or other underwater obstacles
• Penetrating injuries from spearguns, spear tips and knives
• Misfire or accidental discharge of spearguns on the vessel or in the water
• Boat strike and propeller injuries from nearby vessels
• Exposure to hazardous marine life (e.g. sharks, stingrays, bluebottles, stonefish, jellyfish)
• Adverse weather and sea conditions including strong currents, surf and poor visibility
• Hypothermia, sunburn, heat stress and dehydration
• Manual handling strains from equipment, catches and vessel access
• Fatigue from prolonged time in the water or long vessel transits
• Psychological stress and panic in emergency situations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Organisational Policies
• 5.0 Pre-Activity Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Participant Selection, Screening and Medical Considerations
• 7.0 Environmental and Site Assessment (Weather, Tides, Currents and Marine Hazards)
• 8.0 Equipment Requirements, Inspection and Maintenance (Spearguns, Floats, PPE)
• 9.0 Personal Protective Equipment (Wetsuits, Gloves, Boots, Weight Belts, Signalling Devices)
• 10.0 Vessel Safety, Navigation and Surface Support Requirements
• 11.0 Spearfishing Operating Procedures (Entry, Descent, Ascent and Surface Protocols)
• 12.0 Buddy Systems, Communication Signals and Supervision Levels
• 13.0 Depth, Time and Area Limits for Different Experience Levels
• 14.0 Safe Handling, Loading, Firing and Transport of Spearguns
• 15.0 Marine Life Interaction and Environmental Protection Guidelines
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Rescue, First Aid, Evacuation)
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 19.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the SOP
• 20.0 Document Control and Record Keeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice (for spearguns and related equipment)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice (used as guidance for safe diving principles where relevant)
• Marine Safety (domestic commercial vessel) National Law Act 2012 and associated Marine Orders (for charter and support vessels)
• Local state/territory marine safety and boating regulations (e.g. lifejacket, vessel and distance-off requirements)
• Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines (for CPR and drowning response)