East Professional Development Event. Safety in Swimming Pools searching for safe and effective solutions

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Gabriel Tucker
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1 East Professional Development Event Safety in Swimming Pools searching for safe and effective solutions

2 Andy Read, Group Health and Safety Coordinator - DC Leisure Alex Blackwell, Programme Manager, IQL Ltd. Phil Collins, Chair CIMSPA Child Admissions Guidance Review Group Chris Hebblewhite GLL Jan Francis - Serco Tricia Lewis Leisure Connection Ben Beevers Everyone Active Session will take the temperature on a range of trending topics related to swimming pool management, giving a CPD experience for delegates. Safety in swimming pools Andy Read and colleagues from the Swimming Pool Operator Group will cover pool-related HSE mythbusting, supervising high-risk groups of swimmers and lifeguarding arrangements. The CIMSPA under 8s admissions guidance is now under review and Phil Collins, the chairman of the CIMSPA Group, will outline the project s aims and objectives.

3 Alex Blackwell - IQL s perspective on hot topics in lifeguarding Updating on the work with trainer Assessors and 8 th Edition Survey of 25 pools and the rescues / First Aid carried out in a 12 month period Press Releases of drowning and pool incidents over last 5 years On line Training and Competency Assessment for Pool Lifeguards

4 UNDER 8 S ADMISSION POLICY WORKING GROUP - DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE 1.To agree upon the make-up of the Working Group ensuring the widest possible industry participation without encumbering the efficient working of the Group. 2. To seek external advice/support as necessary. 3. To maintain dialogue with the Board of CIMSPA throughout the process. 4.To examine the current Policy, identifying areas of concern and/or areas for potential improvement 5.To consider any further implications relating to changes to the current Policy such as printing costs, notices, insurance issues etc. 6.To consider current statistics and other relevant information relating to use of swimming pools by Under 8 s. 7.To agree upon either the retention of the current document or the contents of a draft revised document. 8.To seek, as far as possible, the views of external associated partners and operators on the contents of any revisions to the current Policy. 9. Present the revised document to the Board of CIMSPA for its approval or otherwise. This work is required to be completed by 31 st December 2013.

Bogus safety bans used by organisations to cover up bad service or avoid being sued. An expert panel set by the HSE to expose myths says bans are being used to stop legitimate activities.

5 Bogus safety bans used by organisations to cover up bad service or avoid being sued. An expert panel set by the HSE to expose myths says bans are being used to stop legitimate activities. A ban on bubbles at a child's party was among the cases found. The HSE's panel revealed 150 cases of businesses and public bodies using non-existent rules to stop activities which were perfectly safe. HSE chair Judith Hackitt said the panel never ceased to be "amazed by the cases we consider. Why on earth do people think that they can get away with banning bubbles at a birthday party, claiming they are a health and safety hazard? The reality is that people hide behind h&s when there are other reasons for what they're doing - fear of being sued perhaps, or bad customer service. It's time for them to own up to their real motives. The sad fact is that while all this nonsense is being spouted, it overshadows what health and safety is really about - ensuring people return home without injury from their day's work, every day. Seven Swimming Pool Myths

6 Case 13 - Swimming pool lifeguard prevented parent taking their 8-year old child into the deep end of the pool Issue A swimming pool lifeguard prevented a parent taking their 8-year old child into the deep end of the pool during a private swimming club session. The child was a confident swimmer, able to swim 2 pool lengths and accompanied by his father and other strong club swimmers. The pool's policy was for swimmers to be able to swim 3 lengths before being able to be in the deep end. Panel decision Strict application of a set of rules which may be necessary for general swimming but to a well supervised club situation seems overcautious. We can understand the need for rules to apply during general swimming but would urge the council to consider a more flexible approach for controlled club activities.

7 Case 45 - Swimming pool displayed notice that stated "in the interests of health & safety, shaving is not permitted in any public areas Issue A public swimming pool locker room displayed a customer notice "in the interests of health & safety, shaving is not permitted in any public areas". Panel decision There is no health and safety legislation, which bans shaving in changing rooms of public leisure facilities. If the concerns are about disposal of razors or other hygiene issues then the notice should state this and not simply use "health and safety" as a catch-all.

8 Case 53 - Swimming pool user told he cannot use hand paddle swimming aids due to risk of other swimmers being hurt Issue A swimming pool user, who is a keen triathlete, has been advised that he cannot use hand paddle swimming aids in any public or adult swimming session due to the risk of other swimmers being hurt. The only time they are allowed to be used is in a structured session such as swimming club or sub aqua Panel decision Health and safety law does apply to the management of public swimming pools and the owner/operator is required to do a risk assessment. The operators have chosen to ban the use of all swimming aids during general sessions to avoid risk of injury. Making an exception for one person would create a precedent for other possibly less responsible pool users. We understand that the pool operator is considering providing dedicated sessions for triathlete training, this seems a sensible way forward.

9 Case 79 - Parent was told where he was standing to watch his child's swimming lesson was not appropriate on the grounds of health and safety Issue A parent was standing by the side of a swimming pool watching his child's swimming lesson. A swimming school representative said that where he was standing was not appropriate on the grounds of health and safety and asked him to move to the parent's seating area. Panel decision There is no occupational health and safety legislation that prevents a parent from standing by a swimming pool. There may be good reasons why the pool operators decide where parents and others can stand and watch pool activities such as avoiding distracting students and instructors, blocking views or access for lifeguards and the area around the pool may be wet and slippery. The pool representative should have been clear why the parent was being asked to move and not use 'health and safety' as a catch-all.

10 Case 99 - Local swimming pool bans inflatables, balls, snorkels and masks on the grounds of 'Health and Safety' Issue A local swimming pool has banned inflatables, balls, snorkels and masks in the public swimming sessions on the grounds of 'Health and Safety'. Two posters are displayed in the Changing rooms stating the reason for the ban is "Health & Safety". Panel decision Health and safety law does apply to the management of public swimming pools and the owner/operator is required to do a risk assessment. The ban on inflatables and snorkels etc may be because they hamper the lifeguards' ability to have clear sight of the pool or because they are regarded as a nuisance by other pool users. It would have been better if the pool management had given a clear explanation of the real reasons rather than simply stating "due to health and safety"

11 Case Children attending swimming lessons must wear swimming hats Issue A child is attending swimming lessons and at enrolment stage the parents were told they had to purchase a swimming hat. When asked why that was and they were told it was for health and safety reasons. The parents asked what they were and the attendant told them he was not really sure but thought it was to stop hair clogging the filters. Panel decision There is no health and safety regulation which requires people to wear hats in swimming pools. This is clear from the inconsistency that they are not required during public swimming sessions. Pool management may require pool users to wear hats during swimming lessons for other reasons - possibly to ease identification - but these should be made clear rather than simply offering "health and safety" as a possible excuse.

12 Case A sports centre with a swimming pool is insisting on plastic outer shoes being worn before customers enter the changing rooms Issue A sports centre provide and insist that patrons visiting that wish to swim or take children to lessons, place plastic shoe covers over outside footwear before entering the changing room area. Panel decision There is no health and safety regulation that requires shoe covers to be worn into swimming pool changing areas. Given that other swimming pools do not impose this restriction it is clear that this is a company policy not a health and safety rule. The swimming pool management should clearly state their reason rather than hiding behind the health and safety excuse

13 Facilitators - discussion on Child Supervision Ben Beevers Everyone Active Chris Hebblewhite - GLL Jan Francis - Serco Tricia Lewis Leisure Connection

14 Workshop Arrangements Workshop 1 Workshop 2 'Effectively Managing Child Safety in the Swimming Pool' Ben Beevers Everyone Active Tricia Lewis Leisure Connection Admissions Policy in Swi i g Pools Chris Hebblewhite - GLL Jan Francis - Serco

MAIN POOL TEACHING POOL CAFÉ TIME SESSION NO. OF LANES SESSION HALF/FULL POOL. 06:30-09:00 Swim 4 Fitness 2 Open. 06:30-09:00 Swim 4 Everyone 2 Open

MAIN POOL TEACHING POOL CAFÉ TIME SESSION NO. OF LANES SESSION HALF/FULL POOL. 06:30-09:00 Swim 4 Fitness 2 Open. 06:30-09:00 Swim 4 Everyone 2 Open Monday Leisure Centre 06:30-09:00 Swim 4 Fitness 2 Open 06:30-09:00 Swim 4 Everyone 2 Open 09:00-10:00 Aqua Classes 4 Open 09:00-11:00 Family Fun Swim Full Pool Open 10:00-11:00 Swim 4 Everyone 4 Open