Policy/Procedure Name: Swimming Pool Policy (and Procedures) Policy/Procedure Number: HS 05 Date of Approval: Mar 2010 Effective Date: Sept 2011 Revised Date: N/A Review by Date: Sept 2012 Policy/Procedure Author: Policy/Procedure Owner: Management Committee Approved By: Governor Committee (where appropriate) Approved By: For Action By: Health and Safety Manager Services Director Health and Safety Management Committee n/a All managers For Information to: Approval requested to upload on the Treloar Website: All staff Yes (tick if requested) Date of Policy Equality Impact Assessment: Impact Assessment was carried out by:
Introduction As part of the Trust s activities, students and staff have the benefit of a hydro and a larger swimming pool. The pools offer valuable development opportunities for students and a desirable recreational facility. A swimming pool represents a significant financial investment and entails certain responsibilities. There may be occasions where the responsibility is shared (but not absolved) with a third party. Sadly around 10 to 15 people drown in pools every year in the UK. 1. Policy 1.1 This policy sets out the expectations of the Trust in relation to the management of the pools and associated activities. The Trust is subject to a range of statutory requirements, including: The Health and Safety at Work Act. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations The Occupiers Liability Acts (1957 and 1984) The Education Act The Children s Act 1.2 Swimming is not only a healthy activity, but also acts as an essential lifeskill. Swimming and water safety are statutory activities within the National Curriculum, (Key Stage 2). Swimming is also one of nine work-strands within the national PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy. 1.3 The Swimming Charter provides advice on how to work and plan effectively. It also provides guidance on how to encourage and take part, how to improve health, well-being and behaviour. The charter also looks at planning, safety, risk assessment, timetables and working relationships with other schools. It identifies special considerations for pupils within special educational needs, talented swimmers, and ethnic minority groups. There is also material on the training and developmental needs of teachers and other adults involved. 1.4 In summary, we have a duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others using the site and facilities. We are required to assess the risks arising from our activities that could cause harm or injury. Having identified the risks, it follows that we must be able to demonstrate how we manage safety by removing or reducing risks. The Health and Safety at Work Act places duties on employers, employees and the self employed. The legislation aims to
protect not only those at work but also those undertaking voluntary work and anyone who may be affected by our activities. 1.5 In addition to statutory duties, teaching staff have a common law duty of care for students, which stems from their position in law (loco parentis, ie in place of the parent). We need to balance our judgements between, meticulous supervision and the desire to encourage independence and to care for students, as would a responsible parent. 1.6 In addition to specific legislation, there have been numerous safety guides published, most notably Managing health and safety in swimming pools (HSG179) prepared jointly by the Health and Safety Commission and Sports England. Anyone involved in swimming pool activities should be aware of this publication. 1.7 Unauthorised access to swimming pool area is not permitted. 1.8 This policy will be reviewed periodically and as required through consultation processes. 2. Procedure 2.1 The Trust require the areas of responsibility below to have, produce or ensure, procedural guidance suitable to meet their departmental (area of responsibility) needs, when read in conjunction with this policy. Responsible person(s) Principal/Headteacher (or, in their absence, the senior person on site). Senior swimming instructor. Care management - designated senior person for safeguarding (DSP) Facilities management Health and safety manager. Training manager Head of Therapy Area of responsibility Overall strategic use and curriculum organisation. Staff instruction for Normal Operating Procedures. Activity risk assessments. Day-to-day security, liaison with Facilities Manager. Safeguarding and student protection. Safeguarding policy and procedure. Monitoring arrangements by DSPs Physical security arrangements of pool area. Periodical risk assessments and reviews. General safety and Trust safety policy issues. Designating departmental safety requirements. Liaison regarding legal (safety) issues. Audit and review arrangements. Staff training. Hydrotherapy activities. 2.2 Risk assessments will be conducted to identify hazards and ways to remove or reduce risks. Managers must ensure that activities within their control have suitable and sufficient assessments in place and significant findings must
be shared (and understood) with those who may be affected. Further information regarding risk assessment see Risk assessment guide hs-03-sg. 2.3 Managers are expected to routinely review their local arrangements and ensure those within their area of responsibility are aware of and follow procedures. Suitable information should be kept in a safety folder available in the pool area. 2.4 Normal Operating Procedures (NOPs). See Appendix A The Trust will, at all times, have available Normal Operating Procedures. All responsible users of the pool must have a thorough understanding of what is required to ensure safe use of the pool and its surroundings. The Facilities Manager will have responsibility for NOPs with the assistance of competent swimming instructors and pool supervisors. NOPs must be followed unless there are specific requirements such as hydro-therapy where consultation, assessments and procedures have been developed to meet that need. 2.5 Emergency action plan. See Appendix B The Trust will, at all times, have available an emergency procedure to meet the needs of the swimming pool area. This procedure must be compatible with the site s overall emergency and fire evacuation plans. All users of the pool must have a commensurate understanding of what is required in the event of an emergency. 2.6 Security. Whenever the pool is in use, a nominated competent person must be identified as in charge and ensure that the pool area is left in a safe and secure manner. Any breach in safety or security must be reported via a line manager to the facilities manager.
Normal Operating Procedures The Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP) must be read by the member of staff who signs for the swimming pool key. The person signing for this key agrees to be the pool supervisor who is responsible for the swimming session and any people with them. The pool supervisor must understand and accept the rules and responsibility for the swimming session. The key must not be passed to any other individual. Due to safety, action including withdrawal of this swimming concession will be taken against any individual that disregards these procedures. Pool supervisor responsibilities The key signatory or pool supervisor is responsible for the following: ensure all pool side signs are observed hoists, lighting and audio equipment is only used by trained operators food & drink are not consumed on the poolside or in the swimming pool the maximum number of people in the pools is not exceeded (maximum of 12 in the swimming pool or 5 in the Hydro pool) there are 3 adults (over 16 years of age) at all times. 2 of the 3 adults must be members of staff, 1 adult must be available to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency ensure powered wheel chairs are turned to manual and that brakes are applied at all appropriate times users are aware of emergency procedures and the location of safety equipment and emergency exits no one swims after a heavy meal or after consuming alcohol reporting incidents such as faults, breakdowns and accidents to Facilities the pool is secured, tidy and equipment replaced at the end of the session. Once complete the key is signed back indicating all of the above has been followed Pool opening times The pool is available for use between 0800 2100h, term time only unless special arrangements have been made. Please see timetable for full details.
Emergency Action Plan Throw-ropes, rescue poles and a spinal board are positioned poolside to be used in emergencies only. In the event of an incident the poolside supervisor must immediately take responsibility for the emergency actions required. A telephone is located near to the pool. The emergency number is 444, this will be answered by Health Centre. The pool should be vacated and health centre informed, without delay, in the following circumstances: power failure contamination e.g. body fluids, chemicals, discolouration equipment failure sudden illness In the event of a fire within the pool area: evacuate the pool area raise the alarm Should the fire alarm sound: prepare to evacuate In the event of an injury to a student contact Health Centre and administer first aid as necessary.
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION HS-09-PP 1 2 3 4 5 Policy/Procedure Communication and Implementation Action Plan Action Responsibility Ensure that all managers, employees and volunteers have access to the Swimming pool Treloar Leadership Team policy & procedure. Train all managers in the implementation of the policy and related procedures. Ensure that all new employees, staff and volunteers are made aware of the policy, understand it, and know where to access a copy and where to access the related procedures. Ensure that all staff and volunteers have access to the related procedures. Ensure that all new employees, staff and volunteers know their responsibilities, and receive training in carrying these out. Human Resources Director (delegated to Training Manager) Training Manager All Managers All Managers Links to other related policies and procedures: The Trust is not responsible for the content or reliability of linked websites. Listing should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. Managing health and safety in swimming pools (HSG179) Amateur Swimming Association http://www.britishswimming.org/ British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education http://www.baalpe.org/ British Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association http://www.bscta.com/ Department for Education and Skills http://www.dfes.gov.uk/ Health and Safety Executive http://www.hse.gov.uk/ The Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom http://www.pea.uk.com/ Royal Lifesaving Society http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/ Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents http://www.rospa.co.uk/ Sports Coach UK http://www.sportscoachuk.org/ Swimming Teachers Association http://www.sta.co.uk/ A site where you can ask questions http://www.sportlinkuk.co.uk/ A useful site for other links www.education.ed.ac.uk/swim/links.html * selected references from in-house policy and procedure index. Risk assessment guidance hs-03-sg
IMPORTANT NOTES: HS-09-PP It is essential for those with designated responsibilities to familiarise themselves with the information, referred to above. Policy documents describe mandatory minimum standards and will be subject to audit and review. Line managers are required to ensure suitable and sufficient arrangements are in place to meet policy requirements, including the provision of information and instruction to staff. The Health and Safety at Work Act states that it is the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care of any person who may be affected by his or her actions. This duty also requires employees to cooperate with their employer in relation to health and safety issues. It is a criminal offence to interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health and safety. Prosecutions for breach of the Act and/or regulations made under it may take place even if no harm has actually occurred. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action or potential criminal proceedings.