Swimming pools are an increasingly popular facility within the tourist industry and provide an added attraction for many holidaymakers. Unfortunately, scores of people continue to be involved in drowning incidents and major accidents whilst using swimming pools and in many cases these incidents can be avoided.  In addition, pools are often implicated in the spread of bacterial and viral associated infections.

It is therefore essential that swimming pools are operated and maintained in a safe manner, not only to prevent these incidents but also to provide  a defence, particularly in these days of litigation, and in order to comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA).  HASAWA places a duty of care on persons to ensure that their undertaking is carried on in such a manner that the health and safety of other persons are not put at risk.

Whilst each swimming pool has to be taken on its own merit, certain aspects are common to all.  With this in mind each swimming pool operator should be able to provide a structurally safe pool and poolside and satisfy the following criteria:

• Provide a lifebuoy and rescue pole.
• Provide and display suitable safety notices and depth markings.
• Provide an adequate means of supervision or control.
• Provide a means of raising the alarm.
• Formulate operating and emergency procedures.

In order to assist operators to reduce the risk of injury to pool users and to comply with the law, the following guidance is given.

Provide a lifebuoy and rescue pole

1. Every pool must be provided with suitable rescue equipment in order that non-swimmers or persons not confident to carry out a rescue are capable of doing so without the need to enter the pool.
2. The location of the rescue equipment is paramount.  It must be clearly identified, be close at hand and within easy reach of all persons.
3. Daily checks must be made to ensure that rescue equipment is in its correct location and is in a serviceable condition.
4. Rescue poles can be adapted by fitting a grab hook to the end of a debris net pole.

Provide and display suitable safety notices and depth markings

Prominently positioned safety signs, depth markings and house rules are a means of conveying vital information to pool users and highlighting specific hazards relating to the pool and its surround.

Safety Signs  Warning signs relating to specific hazards posed by the pool design.  i.e. No Diving (Due to shallow depth)

House Rules  Rules which the operator wishes to insist on.  i.e. No Inflatables, No Glass

Depth Markings  Highly visual indication of the water’s depth

Safety Signs

There are no hard and fast rules relating to which safety signs to display and as such, the suggested list is by no means exhaustive. All safety signs must be prominently displayed either at the pool-side or at the entrance of the pool area.  In any event it must be possible to easily identify the deep end and shallow end of the pool upon entry to the area.

Suggest Signs

Wherever possible Safety Signs should comply with The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1980 which specify the colour of certain signs:

House Rules

1. Any reasonable house rules can be applied provided that pool users are aware of them.  
2. House rules can also be applied where specific problems exist at a particular pool.  Such rules would be essential where the pool is totally separate to the main building.  A rule could be made to ensure all person sign a book at reception before using the pool, or to prevent pool users swimming during specified  times.
3. Information regarding house rules can be displayed in bedrooms, caravans or given out in the form of a leaflet when persons check in.

Depth Markings

1. Depth markings should be located on the pool edge or prominently positioned on an adjacent structure.
2. Markings should be at least 10 cm in height and be in a contrasting colour to the background.
3. They should be in metric measurements although it is suggested that the equivalent imperial measurement is also shown in brackets.

Provide an adequate means of supervision or control

• The level of supervision and the ability to control access depends very much on the location, design and the way the pool is used. However, it is important to ensure that adequate supervision and access control can be achieved in all cases.
• A large pool with unrestricted access must be supervised at all times by competent persons.  On the other hand, a small, infrequently used pool may need only to be regularly monitored providing that well displayed ‘house rules’ are in force and effective safety management procedures are being followed.
• A competent person should:-

• Children must never be allowed to use the pool without the supervision of a responsible adult.  Stipulating the age of a child can be difficult, although the Sports Council suggest that a child is a person under the age of 15 years.  Non-swimmers over the age of 15 should also be properly supervised.
• Whilst the pool is in operation a responsible person should be on the premises and know the procedure for dealing with certain situations.  It is also advisable for that person to be trained in first aid and in particular to be able to carry out expired air resuscitation (EAR) and external cardiac compression (ECC).
• Separate unsupervised pools are of particular concern and as such ‘house rules’ need to be formulated either to prohibit lone swimming or to report to a responsible person before entering the pool area.  Arrangements can then be made to ensure that appropriate safety measures are operated.
• If the pool is an infrequently used, unsupervised indoor pool, then a safe system of work needs to be devised.  This could include ensuring the door to the pool area remains locked and the key left at the reception.  Any person wishing to use the pool would then sign a log book and take control of the key.

Provide a means of raising the alarm

1. Providing a means of raising the alarm in the event of an emergency can save valuable time and could help save a life.  A pool-side emergency alarm or direct link telephone is by far the best means provided that the alarm is distinguishable from others used on the premises and staff are trained how to deal with the situation when the alarm is raised.
2. For unsupervised pools a written notice should be positioned next to the alarm telling bathers how to summon assistance.
3. If the pool is supervised then it is recommended that a mobile telephone or two way radio is provided for use by the Supervisor.

Formulate Operating and Emergency Procedures

Operating Procedures

1. Written operating procedures are a means of demonstrating that measures have been taken regarding the operation and maintenance of the pool.  In addition, a simple operating procedure in the form of a checklist can act as an aide memoire and could also be used by persons with limited knowledge in the absence of the main pool operator.
2. Operating procedures should include:-

• Details of the pool including dimensions and location.
• Maximum bather loads (for guidance purposes 1 bather per 2m2).
• Formulation of responsible persons duties.
• Check list details eg checks on pool structure, condition of steps, pool surround, emergency alarm, rescue equipment and first aid supplies.
• Routine maintenance procedures.
• Pool water test procedure and appropriate action should unsatisfactory results be found.  (See Appendix 1).

Emergency Procedures

• Written emergency procedures are a means of dealing with emergency situations which may occur during times when the pool is in use. These procedures must be designed to enable swift and appropriate action to be taken in order to save valuable time.
• Emergency procedures should be formulated to include any of the following or any other emergency situation which may occur on the premises.

• Staff should be fully aware of the action to take.  It is strongly recommended that emergency procedure exercises are carried out and records kept.

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APPENDIX 1

pH ensure the acidity or alkalinity of water.  The pH scale is between pH 0 which is acid and pH 14 which is alkaline.  pH 7 represents neutrality. The range in which pools should be maintained is between pH 7.2 and 7.8 (ideally 7.4-7.6).  This is to ensure:

1. bather comfort;
2. that the water does not become corrosive to the plant;
3. that the disinfectant is sanitising the water efficiently.

To ensure the pool water is kept in a clean, healthy and safe condition, it is essential that regular tests are carried out and any adjustments made accordingly.

Enclosed is a swimming pool Log Sheet which may be used to act as a record and may be freely reproduced.

GUIDE TO CORRECT pH ADJUSTMENTS

SYMPTOM

TREATMENT

ACID  =  Dry Acid, “pH Minus” and Sodium Disulphate

ALKALI  =  Soda Ash, “pH Plus” and Sodium Bicarbonate

POOL WATER DISINFECTION

Disinfectant is used in swimming pool water to destroy the bacteria, viruses and other Micro-organisms which are introduced into the water by bathers.  Disinfectant is most effective when the pH is between 7.4 and 7.8.  However, some disinfecting agents can be particularly unstable and are readily affected by sunshine, wind, rain and bather load.  Therefore it is essential that regular tests are carried out in order to retain an adequate concentration of disinfectant.  In cases of uncertainty, always refer to manufacturers instructions.

TESTING KITS

Water testing kits should be used and stored correctly in order to avoid any inaccuracies.  These include:-

• Test kits must be kept clean at all times and should be thoroughly rinsed with tap water in order to remove all traces of test reagent.
• Test kits should be stored in a cool, dark location to prevent sunlight from discolouring the colour matching chart.
• The shelf life of the test tablets should not be exceeded and discoloured tablets must not be used.
• Persons suffering from colour blindness should not be made responsible for testing water samples.

CLARITY

The clarity of the swimming pool water is crucial to ensure the safety of bathers.  Cloudy Water is a safety hazard as it makes it difficult for casualties to be noticed and for divers to see swimmers below the surface.  An easily identifiable mark, such as the outlet cover, should be used as a guide.  If this becomes difficult to see, the pool should be closed until remedial action is taken.

CHEMICAL SAFETY

The current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations requires employers and the self employed to carry out an assessment of all the hazardous substances used on the premises.  Using this information a decision should then be made about which control measures, if any, are appropriate to the work situation.

Further information regarding COSHH is available from your Local Authority.

It is important to know that handling potentially dangerous chemicals should only be done by competent, responsible persons and by adhering to the following rules:-

1. Always read and follow the instructions printed on the container.
2. Never transfer chemicals into other containers.
3. Never mix different chemicals in the same container.
4. Ensure that chemicals are stored in a secure, dry, cool and well ventilated store.
5. Store only the minimum amount of chemicals and try not to bulk store.
6. Always use the protective clothing and equipment stated on the chemicals label.
7. Always add chemicals to water and never add water to chemicals.
8. Never leave utensils in chemicals or chemical substances.
9. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling chemicals.
10. Clear small chemical spillages immediately by flushing with water.   Large spillages require particular attention and as such specialist assistance will be necessary.  In any event, chemicals must not be allowed to gain access into streams or watercourses.
11. Dose the pool at least half an hour before use.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems, including equipment, to be constructed and maintained, at all times, so as to prevent danger.  There is also a requirement to ensure that all electrical equipment is suitably protected against adverse or hazardous environments.

These regulations, therefore, include the pump and filtration plant in addition to poolside and plant room lighting.  Plant rooms are often situated in confined and damp locations and as such the electrical system must be protected against  such conditions.  This should include:-

1. The use of splash-proof or water-proof sockets and connections.
2. The use of Residual Current Devices (RCD’s).
3. The use of double insulated equipment.
4. Earth bonding all metal fixtures and equipment, ie metal pipework.

Other precautions should include:-

1. The use of competent persons to carry out electrical work.
2. Regular checks should be carried out on the electrical systems to ensure they are safe and free from defects.

THERMAL POOL COVERS

Free-floating plastic thermal covers improve both heat retention and prevents the entry of debris into the pool.

Thermal covers can be potentially lethal.  To a child the surface of the pool may appear solid, but if stepped on, the covers engulf a child, concealing it and making it virtually impossible to escape.

It is therefore imperative that all enclosures of pools which use floating covers are capable of restricting unauthorised access or, if this cannot be achieved, are subject to continual monitoring.  Alternatively, a suitable fixed cover can be used which is capable of withstanding a person’s weight.

SUCTION HAZARDS

Excessive suction at the outlet can cause entrapment and drowning.  The best way of overcoming this problem is by having two or more outlet points which distributes the water suction pressure.  Any blockage, such as a person, would automatically draw more water from the other outlet point and prevent typical suction effects.  However, these need to be at such a distance apart as to prevent one person covering both outlets.  Modifying existing pools with a singular outlet is costly and should only be carried out by a suitably experienced person.  Tests will need to be carried out to determine the velocity of the water.  If the tests prove that the water is travelling at 0.5m/s or more, then remedial action may be necessary.

Hair entanglement is also a factor and as such modern designed outlet grille covers are designed to include anti-vortex characteristics which prevents hair becoming twisted and no gap is in excess of 8mm which prevents finger entrapment.

THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1999

These regulations aim to improve the management of health and safety and require that an assessment is carried out in order to ascertain whether there is a risk to the health and safety of your employees or anyone else affected by your work activity.

In effect, this could be as simple as making a tour of your entire premises, identifying and making note of all potential hazards.

Following this assessment employers must:-

1. arrange to put into practice any measures deemed necessary to reduce/control the risks highlighted by the assessment, including emergency procedures.
2. with five or more employees record any significant findings.
3. inform and train your employees.
4. include temporary workers who may need special information.
5. review the assessment from time to time.

A guidance leaflet entitled “5 STEPS TO RISK ASSESSMENT” is available from your local authority.

TRAINING AND SAFETY ORGANISATIONS

First Aid Training

Lifeguard and Lifesaving Training

Safety Advice and Organisations

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