Lifeguard shifts may be cut

Lifeguards may soon be working shorter, albeit more intense hours as the National Conservation Commission (NCC) moves to cater to those who frequent the beaches early in the morning.
At a retreat yesterday to prepare them for the upcoming summer holidays and to impress upon them their value to the island’s tourism industry, NCC?general manager Keith Neblett told lifeguards that discussions were ongoing on their work hours, in an effort to reduce their time on the job to ensure they were fully active and alert.
“At the end of the day, one person drowning is one too much and I think what we need to do is to ensure that you are fully fit, fully abreast and active to respond to all those things that you have on the beach,” Neblett said.
The 100 plus lifeguards who work at 17 beaches across the island heard that the possibility of shortening their hours to have them work more intense and shorter periods was being considered.  (LK)
 
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