Risk Assessment

Mellis CEVCP School

School Swimming

Risk assessment for school swimming at off site pools

Workplace/location: Directorate: Date of assessment: Review date: Stradbroke Swimming Pool Economy Skills and Environment September 2011 September 2012

Risk assessors name: Job title: Risk assessment for: Richard Cattermole Head Teacher Visiting school groups swimming at Stradbroke Pool

People at risk, key: E = Employees, C = Children, S =Staff. Risk rating: VH = Very High, H = High, M = Medium, L = Low DUTIES/TASK HAZARDS IDENTIFIED PEOPLE CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE RISK RATING AT RISK d y t o i Risk Adequate (Y/N) r k o s e h i i

v If No – specify additional l R e k i

S precautions required L

. Drowning as a result of C . Children are not to enter the water unless told to do so. 5 1 M Yes water inhalation They must be supervised at all times by those competent to Risks will be maintained effect a rescue and carry out basic life support. providing staff adhere to the . Rescue aids must be available on poolside and all staff control measures put into must know their whereabouts and how to use the place. equipment. It is not sufficient to know the position of Teaching groups equipment and to expect to be able to use it in an of children at emergency: staff should familiarise themselves with the Stradbroke Pool equipment, and use it, on a regular basis. . The ability of all children who swim must be assessed, by qualified swimming instructors. They should be grouped according to their ability, the depth of the pool and the number of staff available. . The number of children an instructor or member of staff can be responsible for should take into consideration the specific needs of individuals within the group, their age and ability and the size of the pool area. . All staff who have responsibility for a group of children in the water must be qualified to effect a rescue in the depth of water in which the chidren are swimming, remove a child from the water and carry out basic life support. . All those who have a direct teaching responsibility should have the necessary knowledge and competence to do so safely and effectively. . All additional staff must support the work of swimming instructors and teachers and know how to summon additional help and the responsibilities they would assume if an emergency arises. DUTIES/TASK HAZARDS IDENTIFIED PEOPLE CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE RISK RATING AT RISK d y t o i Risk Adequate (Y/N) r k o s e h i i

v If No – specify additional l R e k i

S precautions required L

. Injuries occurring from C . Swimmers to be spaced to avoid knocking into each other 1 3 L Yes collisions with other This may necessitate ‘wave swimming’ or swimming in Further action unlikely to be swimmers smaller groups required . Swimmers to be made aware of the dangers and to keep their eyes open when swimming . When lane swimming, swimmers should be taught acceptable lane discipline . First aid equipment to be available if needed and personnel qualified to use it . Injuries occurring from C . All staff to observe the requirements regarding jumping and 2 2 M Yes collisions with the pool diving into water Risks will be maintained sides, or pool floor . All specific pool requirements (found on signs around the providing staff adhere to the pool area) to be observed control measures put into . Swimmers to be encouraged to keep their eyes open when place swimming . First aid equipment to be available if needed and personnel qualified to use it . Injuries occurring from E, C, S . Children should be alerted to the danger of moving around 2 2 M Yes slipping while moving wet pool areas Risks will be maintained around the pool area . Never run on poolside providing staff adher to the . All staff must wear footwear that permits safe movement control measures put into about the pool area place . First aid equipment to be available if needed and personnel qualified to use it DUTIES/TASK HAZARDS IDENTIFIED PEOPLE CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE RISK RATING AT RISK d y t o i Risk Adequate (Y/N) r k o s e h i i

v If No – specify additional l R e k i

S precautions required L

. Injuries or illness E, C, S . Children should arrive on poolside suitably attired, in 4 1 M Yes occurring from incorrect costumes and outfits that minimize the risk of entrapment Further action unlikely to be pool maintenance . All staff should be alert to any potential pool maintanence required issues by visually checking the pool area and surroundings procedures and seeking additional information from pool staff if necessary . First aid equipment to be available if needed and personnel qualified to use it . Illness resulting from the E, C, S . Staff must remove all pupils and themselves from the 4 1 M Yes inhalation of potentially environment immediately a concern is raised. Further action unlikely to be harmful gases . If it is suspected that a harmful gas has been inhaled the required individual(s) must be taken to hospital. . First aid equipment to be available if needed and personnel qualified to use it DUTIES/TASK HAZARDS IDENTIFIED PEOPLE CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE RISK RATING AT RISK d y t o i Risk Adequate (Y/N) r k o s e h i i

v If No – specify additional l R e k i

S precautions required L

Working in pool . The high temperature and E . Maximum of 3 hours continuous working in the pool 4 1 H Yes environments atmospheric conditions environment, Risks will be maintained

. Water or other liquids should be brought to the pool providing staff adhere to the and available to staff on poolside, control measures put into

. If staff feel dizzy or unwell they should remove the place group of children from the water and, when safe to do so, remove themselves from the pool environment.

. The wet conditions . Never run on poolside, 2 2 H Yes

underfoot . Wear footwear that permits safe movement about the Risks will be maintained pool area. providing staff adher to the control measures put into place

. The proximity of teaching . Be alert to your teaching position and your proximity to 2 2 M Yes positions to the pool side the water. As far as possible keep away from the Precautions to be edge of the water, particularly in deck level pools, maintained and managed

. Never teach from raised walls.

. Hazards that are a . When visiting a pool for the first time familiarize 2 2 M Yes features of specific pools, yourself with its layout and any specific hazards. Take Precautions to be e.g. diving blocks, hoists. note of these and determine the best teaching position maintained and managed based on these hazards. DUTIES/TASK HAZARDS IDENTIFIED PEOPLE CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE RISK RATING AT RISK d y t o i Risk Adequate (Y/N) r k o s e h i i

v If No – specify additional l R e k i

S precautions required L

Threats by . Physical violence and/or E, S . Where possible, access to the pool while children are 4 1 L Yes members of the verbal abuse from members swimming should be restricted, Further action unlikely to be public/parents of the public/parents, . Pool staff should be on duty in the reception area of required swimming pools to intercept any intruders, . Training to be given to staff to avoid confrontational situations and how to speak to and deal with irate members of the public,

. Bullying/verbal threats from . Staff to be make aware of council greivance/whistle blowing 4 1 L Yes fellow members of staff policies and procedures. Further action unlikely to be . Use of changing rooms by . Children not to be left in changing rooms with any ordinary 4 2 M required members of the public member of the public. RISK RATINGS

SEVERITY LIKELIHOOD 5 Death / disability 5 It is expected to happen in most circumstances Major injury - broken bone, unconsciousness – anything that 4 is reportable under RIDDOR 4 Will probably occur at some time, or in most circumstances Minor injury (Lost time 1 - 3 days) – bruising, sprains, deep 3 cuts 3 Fairly likely to occur at some time, or in some circumstances

2 Injuries requiring first aid (Lost time < 1 day) 2 It is unlikely to, but could, occur at some time

1 Trivial injury (No lost time)- bumps, cuts, abrasions. 1 May only occur in exceptional circumstances 5 5 10 15 20 25 d RISK o 4 4 8 12 16 20 ACTION REQUIRED o RATING h i

l 3 3 6 9 12 15 e k i 2 2 4 16+ 6 8 10Unacceptable risk do not proceed L 1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 9 -153 Requires4 Immediate5 action to reduce risk and maintain at Severity an acceptable level Unacceptable Risk 4 - 8High RiskPrecautions to be maintained and managed. Further action Medium Risk to reduce risk to be taken if this can be done cost effectively. Low Risk Precautions to be maintained and managed. Further action 1 - 3 unlikely to be appropriate. Appendix 2

Syllabus for Shallow Water Qualification

This qualification is designed specifically for those wishing to act as the rescue specialist for programmed swimming in shallow water, i.e. water with a depth of 1.2m or less. This may be shallow school based pools or the shallow end of public pools.

The teacher responsible for the safety of pupils in the water must be able to: a) effect a rescue, if necessary by wading into the water; b) carry out basic paediatric life support until competent healthcare assistance arrives.

The qualification is in two parts:

Part 1: Safe practice, effecting rescues, basic paediatric life support

Course participants will be able to:

. understand their responsibilities in terms of responding to emergencies

. summon additional help

. know the whereabouts of, and be able to use rescue equipment

. carry out land based reaching and throwing rescues

. enter the water, wade out to a casualty, turn a casualty and bring them safely to poolside

. remove a casualty from the water safely

. recognise and provide immediate care to:

. a child who is conscious following a water related incident

. a child who is unconscious and breathing normally following a water related incident

. a child who is unconscious and not breathing normally following a water related incident On completion of this course a certificate of attendance will be issued. Part 2

After attending part 1 of this course, participants will be required to show they are able to enter the water and carry out the rescue of a pupil lying face down in the water.

The test is as follows:

. enter the water, wade or swim to the deepest part of the pool in which you teach (1.2 metres of less). Turn a simulated unconscious casualty (or manikin) onto their back and recover them to the side of the pool. Check for responsiveness; obtain an airway and check breathing. On finding the casualty is breathing describe how you will summon additional help and what you will do next, including how you would get the pupil out of the water.

If the test takes place in a public pool it will be set and observed by a swimming instructor employed by the School Swimming Service. If the test takes place in a school pool it will be set and observed by the Headteacher of the school, or their representative. The observer will verify the ability of the rescue specialist to complete the practical test and endorse the certificate accordingly.

The award is valid for two years.