H&S. The ASA - Risk Assessment Guidance for Swimming Competition Events. Guidance and Information Document

Transcription

1 The ASA - Risk Assessment Guidance fr Swimming Cmpetitin Events H&S Guidance and Infrmatin Dcument The set-up f any Swimming Cmpetitin is generally the respnsibility f the pl peratr and this activity is cvered by his Pl Safe Operating Prcedures (PSOP). There may be a limited input frm the Event Organiser r Prmter where extra equipment is brught int the swimming pl and set up by the Prmter. Even then the Pl Operatr shuld ensure that this equipment is safe as he is ultimately respnsible fr health and safety within the facility. The Prmter f a Swimming Cmpetitin Event nrmally hires a swimming pl fr the ccasin and therefre the hire cnditins shuld be subject t a cntract f hire. This cntract shuld specify the terms f the hire and identify the rles and respnsibilities f bth the pl peratr and the Event Prmter (hirer). This will extend t the areas f respnsibility with regards t the safe peratin f the event. As part f the set-up prcedures the Pl Operatr will nrmally prvide and install the majrity f the equipment cmmensurate with the level f the event. The equipment will usually include: Starting blcks Autmatic Officiating Equipment (AOE) r Semi-Autmatic Officiating Equipment (Semi-AOE) Anti-baffle lane lines Backstrke flags and ples False start rpe and ples Chairs fr lane fficials as apprpriate Winners pdium Equipment mre usually prvided by a prmter (ASA, District, Cunty, Club r Assciatin), r even individual vlunteer include: Stp watches Whistles Starting equipment nt linked t an AOE Persnal Cmputers and relevant cmpetitin sftware Cmpetitin paperwrk Display stands

2 The safe peratin f a Swimming Cmpetitin Event requires cmpliance with the hme cuntry s Health and Safety Laws. The principal legislatin in Great Britain is the Health and Safety at Wrk Act 1974 and all its subsequent Regulatins, tgether with the cmmn law duty f care. There are als varius guidance dcuments that shuld nt be ignred when seeking t apply safe practice. These include but are nt restricted t FINA and ASA Laws and Regulatins, Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pls publicatin (HSG179), Safe Supervisin f Swimming Teaching and Caching bklet (SSSTC), Diving and Jumping int Swimming Pls and Open Water Areas publicatin (DSP). The Management f Health and Safety at Wrk Regulatins 1999 states that every emplyer shall make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment f: a. The risks t health and safety f his emplyees t which they are expsed whilst they are at wrk: and b. The risks t health and safety f persns nt in his emplyment arising ut f r in cnnectin with the cnduct by him r his undertaking A hazard is smething with the ptential t cause harm. The ptential is always there e.g. a diving bard. A risk is the likelihd that the harm a particular hazard can cause, will be realised e.g. the difference between a supervised r unsupervised diving bard. Finally t manage a Cmpetitin Event safely it is necessary t have a clear understanding f whm are the respnsible fficials nminated t ensure health and safety standards are adhered t bth in the set-up and thrughut the event. Althugh the Referee is ultimately respnsible fr the safe cnduct f the event he and the Prmter may wish t appint a deputy with specific respnsibility fr managing safety. Therefre depending n the size f the event it is suggested that at a very early stage f the planning the fllwing persnnel wh have a safety functin need identifying: The Prmter s Representative fr the Event The Referee fr the Event The Pl Operatr s Liaisn Officer fr the Event The Prmter s/referee s Safety Officer fr the Event: Technical Representative Technlgy Representative Plside Cntrller Warm-up Stewards Changing Rm and Spectatr Gallery Stewards The check list belw is nt a risk assessment it is merely a check list t ensure that the event has been set up safely any inability t tick a particular bx may require further actin by the pl peratr r event rganiser t ensure acceptable safety levels are met. Where the safety checker is unsure f the crrect safety parameters references r links are included t the relevant guidance dcuments.

3 Risk Assessment Check Sheet EVENT: SITE: EVENT DATE: Key Persnnel The Prmter s Representative The Referee The Pl Operatr s Liaisn Officer The Prmter s/referee s Safety Officer Safety Stewards The risk assessment audit is a simple tick bx acknwledgement that the task in that paragraph has been carried ut. If the Risk Assessr cannt tick ff any paragraph then actin is needed t rectify an issue and minimise a risk befre cntinuing. Pre-Start Checks (Pl and Surrunds) 1. Check that the Prmter s representative is cnversant with the Duties f the Prmter in relatin t Health and Safety ASA Handbk 2. Check that the Prmter s representative has respnded t the requirements f the

4 Swimming Officials Prmpt Card Prmter ASA Handbk 3. Check depths at ends f swimming pl t determine the level f safety checks required in relatin t the start/entry dive and infrm Referee (DSP). 4. Check the pl, surrunds have sufficient clearance t allw safe mvement f cmpetitrs and fficials withut undue risk (HSG179 Page 22). 5. Check pl surrunds fr excessive slip, cleanliness and freedm frm litter and unwanted items f equipment (HSG179 Page 24 & 32) 6. Check clarity f the pl water is sufficient t bserve the swimmers underwater at all times (HSG179 Page 69) 7. Check pl water is at the crrect level and depth. Check that the pl water temperature is at an acceptable level and in any case between 25C and 28C, s that cmpetitrs are nt subjected t unsuitable cmpetitive swimming cnditins. (See Ftnte) 8. Check that the pl air temperature is at a suitable level fr cmpetitive swimming and in any case n mre than 1C warmer than the pl water. 9. Check that dimensins f the pl meet with the minimum standards fr the event. The Prmter may als wish t verify the accuracy f the length f the pl at this pint. 10. Check that the anti-turbulence lane lines are fitted securely and are at an acceptable tensin with n expsed metal wire that culd cause harm/injury t the swimmer. (Ancillary areas) a. Check changing rms are clean and safe t use. b. Check emergency alarms are wrking (HSG179 Page 67) c. Check First Aid Rm equipment and First Aid Bx prvisins. d. Check Fire Exits are crrectly signed and are unbstructed. Warm-up Cntrl (Pl and surrund) Ensure that the Stewards are cnversant with the Duties f Officials and Stewards with regards t Health and Safety ASA Handbk. Ensure that the Safety Stewards have respnded t the Swimming Officials Prmpt Card Safety Stewards.

5 Ensure that Stewards are cnversant with and apply the ASA Guidelines fr Cmpetitins (Warm-ups and Swim-dwns) ASA Handbk. Ensure sufficient lane stewards are appinted and in place t supervise lanes. Ensure n diving in warm-up sessin ASA Handbk, except in cntrlled sprint lane. Ensure directinal swimming is applied t avid swimmer cllisins ASA Handbk. Ensure that sufficient lifesaving prvisin is n the plside cmmensurate with the level f usage (HSG179 Page 63) With regards t disability swimmers ensure that there are sufficient helpers t assist safe and effective warm-up practice. Ensure nn-english speaking cmpetitrs are catered fr and understand safety prcedures. Stewards r lifeguards t maintain safety precautins during swim-dwn sessins. (Ancillary areas) Ensure that there is sufficient and suitable supervisin f changing rms and ther areas where children and vulnerable adults culd be expsed t risk (HSG179 Page 69, ASA Child Prtectin Plicy & ASA Guidance dcument Supervisin f Swimming Club Children in Changing Rms ) Referee s Briefing Check that the Referee is cnversant with the Duties f the Referee with regards t Health and Safety ASA Handbk. Check that all Official and Stewards are cnversant with the Duties f Officials and Stewards with regards t Health and Safety ASA Handbk. Check that prmter has received cpy f the Swimming Pl Nrmal Operating Prcedures (NOP) including the Emergency Actin Plan (EAP) Ensure that disabled cmpetitrs and ther disadvantaged persns are cnsidered in the NOP and EAP Ensure that relevant areas f the NOP with regards t safety f users in cmpetitin events are brught t the attentin f the fficials. Explain thse areas f respnsibility that are the Pl Operatrs and thse f the Prmters.

6 Ensure fficials knw their wn rle and ther fficial s rles in the event f an EAP evacuatin, particularly with regards t (a) cmpetitr accident, and (b) pl hall evacuatin. Check that all fficials are sufficiently cmpetent/qualified s that the cmpetitrs are nt put at risk Ensure that fficials understand their rle with regards t breaches r likely breaches f safety regulatins Ensure that fficials are aware f any bstructin in the cmpetitin area that may be hazardus t cmpetitrs e.g. prjecting steps. Ensure that the length f each cmpetitin sessin des nt exceed a reasnable perid f time that an fficial shuld expect t stay alert maximum 4 hurs withut a break (Wrking Time Regulatins). Ensure that fficials are nt subject t dehydratin in the pl hall envirnment whilst carrying ut their duties. Answer any questins n pints f cnfusin in relatin t the NOP/EAP and safety in general. Pre-event Checks (Pl and Surrunds) 1. Check that all starting blcks are fitted safe and secure and meet the apprpriate standards fr the event (FINA, LEN, ASA Handbks). 2. Check that the AOE r Semi AOE is fitted securely and is nt subject t unacceptable mvement. 3. Check that all fficial s chairs are sturdy, stable and safe t use. 4. Check that all ancillary plside equipment is safe and in gd cnditin. 5. Check that all cabling n the plside electrical r therwise is secured and is nt a trip hazard. 6. Check that all electrical equipment and cabling n the pl deck are fitted with residual current breakers and d nt exceed 12 vlts (Electricity at Wrk Regulatins 1989) 7. Carry ut a visual check n all electrical appliances bth fitted and prtable t ensure they are in gd cnditin THE CHECKING OFFICIAL IS CAUTION NOT TO TOUCH ANY SUSPECT ELECTRICAL CABLING. 8. Check that sufficient lifesaving prvisin is n the plside thrughut the cmpetitin cmmensurate with the level f the event - minimum f ne lifeguard plus back up ff plside (HSG179 Page 63).

7 9. Check that the AOE r Semi AOE is suitable fr disability swimmers. 10. Check that there are sufficient and suitable helpers in relatin t disability swimmers (Ancillary areas) Check that all electrical equipment and cabling lks visually in gd cnditin. Check that n mre than ne extensin lead is used between the pwer sckets and electrical equipment. Check that all cabling electrical r therwise is secured and is nt a trip hazard. Ensure that there is a spectatr steward if it is anticipated that the spectatr area may be subject t vercrwding. In the event f an fficial taking entrance fees ensure that that fficial is placed in a secure area and that the mnies are securely managed s as nt t invite assault and rbbery. In the case f an event that is lnger than ne sessin r day arrange safe and secure banking arrangements. Pre-Start Annuncements Ensure that the annuncers public address system is clear and audible t all cmpetitrs and spectatrs and that annuncements will nt be misunderstd. Ensure that the Annuncer respnds t the Swimming Officials Prmpt Card Annuncer befre the start f each sessin f the cmpetitin and befre each pre-cmpetitin training perid, and in any case: Ensure that the Annuncer respnds t any instructins the Referee requires t be annunced t the cmpetitrs and spectatrs regarding safety issues appertaining t the cmpetitin befre each sessin f the cmpetitin. Check that the cmpetitrs and spectatrs are infrmed f the lcatins f the Fire Exits. If the swimming pl has a mveable flr annunce the current depth (HSG179 Page 27). Event Cntrl The Prmter s/referee s Safety Officer t ensure that the safety prtcls checked prir t the event start are maintained by regular mnitring.

8 In additin stewards t regularly mnitr that the spectatr areas are nt vercrwded and remain within design/nop usage levels. Ensure spectatrs exit in an rderly manner. De-Briefing The Referee t de-brief fficials and recrd any incidents where health and safety were cmprmised. The Prmter t reprt any incidents t the Pl Operatr fr recrding against future develpments. Signed: Print: Risk Assessr Date f assessment: Time f assessment: Swimming Pl Temperatures There is a tendency fr pl peratrs t keep raising temperatures in the belief that it increases participatin. Pl temperatures in excess f 29 C are n lnger unusual. This is a challenge fr swimming cmpetitins and when faced with pl temperatures ver the recmmended temperatures fr cmpetitin it may nt arbitrarily mean that the cmpetitin is cancelled. In the event that the pl temperature cannt be reduced a rick assessment must be undertaken. Cnsideratin shuld be given t these factrs: Ø Higher temperatures are unlikely t be hazardus t health fr the shrter races. Ø Races ver 800m may be hazardus if the water temperature is significantly higher than recmmendatin Ø Air temperatures less than the pl temperature with gd surface air flw wuld mitigate the warmer water temperatures. Ø High humidity and pr air circulatin wuld exacerbate the situatin Edited dlfw/asa Facilities/25/02/2016