Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines SwimmingPoolSafety Guidelines i  Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines © Copyright, Irish Water Safety First edition published 2007 Second edition published 2010 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. These guidelines are issued and prepared by Irish Water Safety, ILAM and Swim Ireland. Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines is available from: Irish Water Safety The Long Walk, Galway, Ireland Telephone: 091 564400 / 1890 420 202 Fax: 091 564700 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iws.ie ILAM Allenwood Enterprise Park, Allenwood North, Naas, Co. Kildare Telephone 045 859 950 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ilam.ie and www.whiteflag.ie Swim Ireland Sports HQ Park West, 13 Joyce Way, Dublin 12 Telephone: 01 6251120 Fax: 01 6251121 Email: [email protected] Web: www.swimireland.ie © IWS ii  SwimmingPoolSafety Guidelines Table of Contents Abbreviations ii 7�PoolFeatures �����������������������������������34 Swimming Pool Covers 39 Foreword������������������������������������������ 1 Lane Ropes 39 Introduction ��������������������������������������� 2 Lane Swimming 39 The Purpose of these Guidelines 3 8�PoolUsers’Equipment����������������������������42 Philosophy 3 Swimming Goggles 42 How to use these Guidelines 4 Play Equipment 43 1�RiskAssessment���������������������������������� 6 9�UseofElectricalEquipmentatSwimmingPools��������48 Risk and Hazards 7 Structural Considerations 7 10�Diving����������������������������������������50 Safeguarding Children Considerations 8 General Public 51 Structured and Programmed Swimming 51 2�Workinginthepoolenvironment ������������������� 10 Diving Boards and Platforms 51 Lifeguards 10 Further Supervision Considerations 15 11�SafeguardingtheWelfareandProtectionofChildren���54 Teaching and Coaching 16 Child Admission Policy 56 Qualifications and Ratios 16 Minimum recommendation for Non-Programmed Activities 57 Teachers’ Responsibilities 17 Minimum recommendation for Programmed Activities 57 The Assistant Teacher 18 12�ResponsibilitiesofPoolOperators������������������60 Licensing and CPD 18 Working Conditions 18 References��������������������������������������� 62 3�FirstAidProvision�������������������������������� 20 UsefulContacts������������������������������������ 62 4�SafetyEquipment��������������������������������22 Appendix: ����������������������������������������63 Risk Assessments 63 5�Communications���������������������������������24 Safety Signs 25 Normal Operation Plans 27 Mobile Phones 27 6�EmergencyActionPlans���������������������������30 Faecal Fouling 31 Abbreviations AED: Automated External Defibrillator ILS (E): International Life Saving (Europe) BLS: Basic Life Support ILAM: The Industry Body for Sports, Fitness, Aquatic Facilities, CPD: Continuing Professional Development Outdoor Sector, Spas and Wellness DP: Designated Person ISO: International Standards Organisation DLP: Designated Liaison Person ISRM: Institute of Sport and Recreation Management EAP: Emergency Action Plan IWS: Irish Water Safety EMS: Emergency Services NOP: Normal Operations Plan FINA: Federation Internationale de Natation Amateure CEN: Comité Européen de Normalisation (European Committee for Standardisation) HSA: Health and Safety Authority (Ireland) PA: Public Address HSE: Health and Safety Executive (UK) SI: Swim Ireland ILS: International Life Saving © IWS Foreword SwimmingPoolSafety Guidelines 1 Foreword This is the second edition of Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines. It has been made possible thanks to the co-operation of three leading National Bodies, concerned with safety in swimming, lifesaving, and pool management standards. Jointly, the three organisations have a desire for increased use of all available swimming pool facilities within the industry to the highest standards, thus benefiting all users of these facilities. Irish Water Safety is a voluntary, statutory body responsible for the promotion of water safety in Ireland. Swim Ireland is the national governing body of swimming in Ireland. ILAM is the industry body for sports, fitness, aquatic facilities, outdoor sector, spas and wellness. Swimming and Lifesaving are life skills giving safe access to other aquatic activities and employment opportunities nationwide. Professional, voluntary and recreational users have a shared responsibility for safety and the three Organisations that have contributed to this Code of Practice are fully cognisant of this fact. Therefore it is important that all persons using a Swimming Pool are aware of and comply with these guidelines, and it is recommended to all users including school groups, clubs, swimming and life saving classes, and other recreational users. We are pleased to note the expertise of the many individuals within the three organisations who have contributed to this Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines code of practice. We are confident that the revised publication will provide the leisure pool industry with guidelines and procedures that encompass rules of best practice drawn from many sources at national and international level. The adoption of these Guidelines by pool operators, managers, pool lifeguards and other employees will ensure a safe environment for all within a safe pool environment. It is important that swimming pool operators, both public and private, accept that the document does not replace the responsibility to have a Safety Statement prepared, based on written and recorded Risk Assessments and similarly, when complying with Health and Safety Statements. However, our joint determination is that this publication will become the standard industry reference and an important reference when dealing with the responsibility attached to the management and supervisory duties associated with swimming pools, thus ensuring the safety of all users of such facilities. Frank J. Nolan, Chairman, Irish Water Safety Clare Mc Grath, President, Swim Ireland Susan Grady, President, ILAM © IWS SwimmingPoolSafety Guidelines Introduction 2 Introduction Welcome to the second edition of the Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines proudly brought to you through the co-operation of three leading organisations that all contribute to ensuring safety within the Aquatic Environment. These guidelines have been revised and redeveloped with the support of Volunteers and staff across the three organisations Irish Water Safety (IWS), Swim Ireland (SI) and ILAM, the Industry Body for Sports, Fitness, Aquatic Facilities, Outdoor Sector, Spas and Wellness. Since the implementation of Irish Water Safety’s Guidelines in 2007, the industry has grown and developed and advanced in it’s thinking and it is vital that these guidelines are monitored and reviewed on a continuous basis to keep pace with the industry. These guidelines detail the minimum requirements that a pool facility should possess in order to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to ensure a happy and safe experience for all in the water. The 2010 Guidelines have drawn upon the knowledge and expertise of many and will contribute greatly to safety in all Irish swimming pools as we move into 2010 and beyond. © IWS Introduction SwimmingPoolSafety Guidelines 3 ThePurposeoftheseGuidelines Swimming and water safety are life-saving skills, which provide thousands of people with the means to enjoy Ireland’s aquatic environment in a healthy, enjoyable and safe manner. Although swimming pools (which should at all times be lifeguarded) offer a greater level of safety, the risk of accidents happening remains ever present. This risk is all the more prevalent with the recent upsurge in the number of leisure centres and pools opening in Ireland and the number of adults and children visiting these venues. Therefore the public has a duty of care for themselves and those within their charge when visiting pools. The Leisure sector on the island of Ireland is experiencing rapid growth, with more than five hundred swimming pools, public, private and commercial operating in the Republic, ranging from the small hotel leisure or spa pool to the large water parks catering to thousands of visitors weekly. There has been recent recognition that physical activity has a significant positive impact on the health of the nation. Participating in swimming continues to be one of the population’s favourite pastimes, as referenced within research carried out by the Irish Sports Council and the ERSI (2007, 2009). The predicted future growth will more than likely continue as more people enjoy the benefits of swimming and water activities. Any swimming pool in Ireland, open to the public, to residents or members, has to be managed in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. There is a duty of care under this Act to ensure that the quality of swimming & spa pools is managed at safe levels and that bathers can expect trained, competent staff and a safe hygienic bathing environment. The pool guidelines emphasise the dual approach of awareness and prevention. These guidelines provide Pool Managers with comprehensive criteria and the information they require to ensure their pools are as safe as possible. Philosophy Although swimming pools provide us with a safer place to swim than open water, needless deaths still occur. These are unacceptable when one considers the controlled environment of a swimming pool. Hazards/risks