Swim Ireland Risk Assessment Guidance Document for Clubs and Regions

Transcription

1 Swim Ireland Risk Assessment Guidance Document for Clubs and Regions Training & Competitions (Closed Water) Issued: Final Copy Issued 1 st October P a g e

2 Introduction: This document is intended to be used in conjunction with the Safety Guidelines Document, and is for the purposes of basic risk assessment of swimming pools & associated facilities while under the hire of the Swimming Club for the purposes of training or competitions. The hazards cited are not exhaustive, but aim to give some direction and guidance on the actions to be taken in preventing the potential consequences. Swimming pools are intrinsically unsafe buildings and, in addition to the risk of drowning, have many features which contribute towards an environment in which accidents may occur including Wet surfaces and bare feet a combination of which increases the likelihood of slipping Unclothed bodies and hard surfaces which increase the likelihood of injury if slips or falls occur Deep water areas where poor swimmers may get into difficulties Shallow water areas where diving by unskilled persons may lead to spinal or head injuries of a serious nature Diving boards and blocks which when used by unskilled persons or not properly supervised, can be a source of serious injury. Chemicals which if incorrectly used or mixed may lead to burns or the liberation of dangerous gas. 2 P a g e

3 Accidents stem from a number of causes including Poor design Inadequate systems of work and in particular poor supervision Irresponsible actions of individuals and/or groups. Responsibility for health and safety in swimming pools falls primarily upon pool owners and pool operators (including management contractors), but in the case of poor design, responsibility may also be held by architects, engineers, designers, manufacturers and constructors. In many cases the hazards listed below are matters related to the facility and the actions (or lack of action) on the part of the pool management and therefore can only be remedied by the pool management. Nevertheless by drawing these to the attention of the pool management the club is fulfilling its duty of care and helping to look after the safety of its members and safeguard their interests Hazards relating to child welfare and protection are also referred to in this document. For more detailed information on this please refer to the Swim Ireland Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures 2010 (or most up to date version). 3 P a g e

4 Risk Analysis In measuring the level of a particular risk, we are considering two things. Firstly we are considering the likelihood, or the chances, of that risk materialising, on a scale of Unlikely Likely, or Very Likely Placing the risk on this scale would take into account factors such as: 1. The number of people in the area 2. The number of swimmers, coaches, public or visitors exposed, or potentially exposed, to the hazard. 3. The work being executed & the working environment. 4. The training, qualifications & experience level of staff, 5. The systems, controls & procedures already in place, 6. The level of supervision & the organisational safety culture. 7. Variations to any of the above caused by peak or seasonal factors, weather conditions, etc. 8. Records of accidents, ill health. 9. Relevant legislation, codes of practice and industry best practice. 4 P a g e

5 10. Manufacturer s instructions/safety data sheets. Secondly, we consider the resulting consequences in terms of the potential physical injury or outcome; if the risks were to be realised. The resulting injuries will fall into the category of Slightly Harmful, Harmful or Very Harmful. (See Table A below) The likelihood of the risk realising, is plotted on the Risk Rating Table (Table B below), as is the severity of the injuries arising from it. The point at which both meet provides us with a Risk Rating. Level of likelihood (L) plotted against the (S) Severity of the injuries ) = Risk Rating (RR) (See Table 3.G Below) 5 P a g e

6 TABLE A: Consequence Rating Table: This table is used to measure severity effect so as to ensure consistency in rating levels. Slightly Harmful Harmful Very Harmful Superficial injuries Minor cuts & bruises Eye irritation from dust Nuisance & irritation Temporary discomfort Lacerations Burns Concussion Serious sprains Minor fractures Deafness Dermatitis Asthma Minor disability Amputation Major fractures Poisoning Fatal injuries Allegations of Abuse Occupational cancer Severely life shortening disease Fatal disease Head injuries Eye injuries 6 P a g e

7 TABLE B: Risk Rating Table: Severity of Injuries Arising Slightly Harmful Harmful Very Harmful Unlikely Likely Very likely Likelihood Once a risk rating value has been attained, it is then plotted on the Priority Action Table see table below. This ensures that those hazards with the highest risk ratings get priority management action. 7 P a g e

8 TABLE C: Risk Rating Priority Action Table. Risk Rating Priority Action Required Trivial Risk Non-urgent No action needed 1 Acceptable Risk 2 Non-urgent No additional controls Monitoring required Assessment recorded Review Date set. Moderate Risk 3-4 Substantial Risk 6 Intolerable Risk 9 8 P a g e Action needed Urgent action needed Urgent action needed Controls required as soon as practical Assessment recorded Controls documented Responsible Persons appointed. Time line Identified Review date set. Controls required immediately Assessment recorded Controls documented Responsible Persons appointed. Time line Identified. Review date set. Work prohibited/ceased Controls required immediately Assessment recorded Controls documented Work stoppage documented Responsible Persons appointed. Time line Identified. Review date set.

9 Let us take an example of cloudy pool water. This hazard presents a number of risks such as: Swimmers swimming into end walls or other swimmers Water quality being unsuitable for swimming Inabalility to see submerged swimmers on the pool floor. Let us take the first risk of swimmers not seeing the approaching walls and swimming into them, or other swimmers. Firstly we look at what the chance of this happening would be. Given that the water is cloudy the chance would depend on other factors such as competence and experience of the swimmers, lighting levels etc but it would probably be reasonable to assume that it would be deemed as Likely (See Table B). This is quantified as a 2. Then we look at the consequences which may arise if this were to happen, in other words how severe would the injury be? (See Table A) The result may be slightly harmful (1) such as minor lacerations and bruising or it might be harmful (2) such as a concussion from kick to the head. We always err on the side of caution, so this is also quantified as a 2 2 x 2 = 4 (See Table B) 9 P a g e

10 So the chance of it happening (or the likelihood of it happening) ; is multiplied by the consequences if it did ; and in this case the result is 4. The figure of 4 is then plotted on Table C - The Risk Rating Priority Action Table, and we note that as a 4 it is deemed as a moderate risk, and action is required. This action comes in the form of controls (Ways of managing the hazard) to be put in place as soon as practical. In the case of the cloudy water and a training session, the decision may be made to cancel or postpone the training session as the risk to the swimmers may be deemed too serious. Table C The Risk Rating Priority Action Table outlines for us what else must be done. The risk assessment needs to be recorded. Whatever controls have been agreed on will be documented. A responsible person(s) will appointed in other words responsibility will be given to one or more people to carry out or implement the controls. A reasonable time line will be Identified ; within which these controls will have to be implemented. And finally, a review date set ; a date on which the situation will be reviewed. In this case the quality and clarity of the pool water is not within the control of the club, so no further action is required, bar addressing the matter with the pool management to prevent of recurrence. 10 P a g e

11 For our 2 nd example let us take something within the control of the Club. On arrival at the pool for a 5.30 am Training session a number of children are already there and waiting. As time is of the essence they pile into the building and onward to the changing room as soon as the doors are opened but before the lights have been turned on. What are the chances of an injury being sustained? Probably unlikely (1) ; unless of course a piece of equipment has not been safely stored by the staff eg hose or a wet vac in which case the chances increase to likely (2). The consequence (Table A) if someone did trip over a hose in the dark would have to be harmful (2) as a sprain or minor fracture may prevail. So again we have 2 x 2 = 4 (Table B) So plotting this on Table C - The Risk Rating Priority Action Table indicates the need as before to take action in the form of controls. In this case the control could be that swimmers are not allowed to enter the building until the person opening up has switched all the necessary lights on. Whatever controls are agreed on will be documented. 11 P a g e

12 A responsible person(s) will appointed in other words responsibility will be given to one or more people to carry out or implement the controls in this case the person opening the building. A reasonable time line will be identified ; within which these controls will have to be implemented, and as this is a very simple control, immediate implementation is not unreasonable. And finally, a review date set ; a date on which the situation will be reviewed, to ensure that the controls that are implemented are being carried out, and more importantly are effective. Below you will find a number of common hazards in swimming pools. They arise from a variety of areas including Premises Equipment Staff Contractors Operations While each situation in each pool facility is unique, some suggestions have been given as to how these hazards may be tackled by the club, in the form of controls. Whatever controls are implemented, they should result in the risk rating level being lower on implementation. Where a control does not lower the risk rating, it is insufficient and should be supplemented with additional controls. 12 P a g e

13 Generic Risk Assessment Area /Department: Car Park 13 P a g e Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Revised Risk Poor Lighting Injury / Fall Advise facility management Warn Club Members Potholes Fall / damage to cars Advise facility management Warn Club Members Broken kerbing Trips and falls Advise facility management Warn Club Members Damaged Steps Trips and falls Advise facility management Warn Club Members Absence of ramp Difficulty for building access by disabled persons. Arrange for suitable access & egress of disabled members Absence of tactile Difficulty for road crossing by warnings disabled persons. Speeding cars Injury to pedestrian Advise facility Care advised for visually impaired

14 Area /Department: Car Park Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Revised Risk management Warn Club Members Absence of directional signage Absence of road markings Collision between cars. Collision between cars. Advise facility management Warn Club Members Advise facility management Warn Club Members Area /Department: Foyer / Front Hall Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Cash Handing Robbery Cash Handling Procedure Panic Button Time lock safe Revised Risk 14 P a g e

15 Area /Department: Foyer / Front Hall Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Crowd Control Crush Injury Crowd Management Limit numbers Child left Distress or upset to the child; child behind after vulnerable to inappropriate behavior training Revised Risk Make all parents aware of session times CP/Vetting/Code of Conduct complete by leaders and parents Leaders remain in pairs until all children collected Area /Department: Pool Hall Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Revised Risk Water Drowning Ensure qualified lifeguard on duty Poor Water Clarity Poor visibility Pool not suitable for use 15 P a g e

16 Area /Department: Pool Hall 16 P a g e Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Revised Risk Poor Water quality Bacteriological infection Pool not suitable for use Steps Injury to teeth / eyes No swimming in that area Warn swimmers of risks Handrails /Gutters Injury to teeth / eyes / feet Avoid swimming in this area Warn swimmers of risks Water Depth Insufficient depth for turns Turns should not be attempted Damaged / broken /Slippy Tiles Slips trips and falls. No running on the deck Suitable footwear to be worn Pooling of water Slips, trips and falls Squeegee Deck to Unsupervised / inappropriate Diving Area /Department: Pool Hall remove excess. Neck Injury to swimmer Should only take place under strict supervision by trained swimmers. Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Revised Risk

17 Area /Department: Pool Hall Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Pillars Decreased Visibility Position lifeguards accordingly Poor air handling Poor air quality / condensation Advise facility manager Trailing leads Trip Hazard Cover with cable cover / mats Poor Swimmer Overcrowding of lanes leading to High supervision levels Control injury Revised Risk Insufficient Lighting Collision & Injury to swimmers Suspend training / competition until rectified. Pool Temperature Poor swimmer performance Water should be between degrees celcius. Variations in deck level 17 P a g e Slips, trips and falls. Warn officials and swimmers to take due care. Horseplay Injury to swimmers Suitable & sufficient supervision required. Pool sump cover Entrapment 8 mm maximum hole size / gaps in cover of drain. Pool Cover Entrapment of swimmer No swimmer to enter the water until cover is fully removed.

18 Area /Department: Changing Room Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Damaged / slippy Slips trips or falls No running in the Flooring changing room. Pooling of water Slips trips or falls Squeegee excess water. Lockers Cuts & injuries from doors Ensure all lockers closed when not in use. Footbaths & other Slips trips or falls Advise Club members to changes in floor adopt due caution. level. Cleaning Chemicals Revised Risk Poisoning Cleaning cupboard should remain locked at all times. Poor Housekeeping An adult left on his/her own with a child. Trips and falls Changing room should be free from equipment Bags and clothes should be stored in or on lockers. Allegations of inappropriate behavior; poor practice leading to complaints or allegations CP/Vetting/Code of Conduct completed for all staff Risk awareness highlighted with parents 18 P a g e

19 Area /Department: Changing Room Company Name: Generic Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control and child Supervision of sessions /supervision of areas in pairs Revised Risk Area /Department: Viewing Gallery Company Name: Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control Unsupervised Children Revised Risk Falling from height Children must be supervised when not competing Parental supervision preferred. Climbing over Falls This practice should not 19 P a g e

20 Area /Department: Viewing Gallery Company Name: Assessment Date: 8/12/10 Review Date: Risk Rating Recommended Control barrier be encouraged. Swimmer Excess water on seats and flooring accessing wet resulting in Slips and falls and / or Revised Risk Swimmers to be prevented from doing so by officials. injury to swimmer. Steps Falls Design issue. Due care and use of the handrail required. Bags and equipment Trip hazard, may block exits. Bags and equipment to be stored elsewhere or under seats. Overcrowding Injury to spectator Crowd supervision & management required. 20 P a g e