SOUTH LAKE LEISURE CENTRE SECTION 2 HAZARDS RISK

SOUTH LAKE LEISURE CENTRE SECTION 2 – HAZARDS & RISK FACTORS

Physical Hazards & Risk Factors: People Hazards Activity Hazards Lifeguard Hazards

Physical Hazards: Moveable Floor & Boom Lane Ropes Deep Water Management Starting Blocks & Back flags Pool Deck Surface Pool Steps Pool Inlets/Outlets Disabled Hoist Water Clarity Water Slides Glare

Movable Floor & Boom Entrapment Change in water depth Control Measure Interference against each other Lifeguard Intervention Ensure pool is empty of bathers prior to operation and until locked in position Booms are clear of bathers & staff during operation Other Measures Automatic depth signage with sounder Access to control panel restricted Emergency stop/override button

Pool Depth Deep water Shallow water Control Measure Sudden change of depth Lifeguard Intervention Ensure weak and non-swimmers stay within their standing depth or that of supervising parent or adult Ensure armband wearers remain in the shallow end Other Measures Signage showing restrictions on diving and depth of areas around pool

Floor Surface Wet floor surface on pool surrounds Wet floor surface in changing rooms Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate to stop anyone from running within the pool environment Other Measures Signage (e. g. No Running) Regular cleaning and degreasing of the floor surface to reduce slips and falls

Pool Inlets /Outlets Entrapment or entanglement through playing with or trying to cover through play Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate to stop anyone from playing with or trying to cover Inlets or Outlets Other Measures Pre-opening pool safety checks

Water Clarity Impact on lifeguard's ability to see the bottom of the pool Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Request bather to move to the side of the pool and exit if necessary Other Measures Report to Shift Leader/Duty Manager immediately Pre-opening pool safety checks

Glare and Reflection Impact on lifeguard's ability to clearly see bathers Impact on lifeguard's ability to see the bottom of the pool Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention May need to adjust observation position Other Measures Report to Shift Leader/Duty Manager and request additional lifeguard support

Lane Ropes Weak swimmers may use them to hang onto and pull themselves out of their depth Users sometimes sit on them or pull Control Measure them under the water making the lines an underwater hazard Lifeguard Intervention Injury to bathers if lane ropes are Intervene and educate to stop weak or nonswimmers from using lane ropes to pull set up or removed during pool use themselves out of their depth Swimmer collision through incorrect Intervene and educate to stop users sitting on lane etiquette lane ropes Educate and intervene lane direction and speed Other Measures Signage (directional and speed) Additional staff set up lane ropes

Starting Blocks and Back Flags Can move or fail if not fitted correctly Risk of serious injury if used incorrectly Control Measure Bathers jumping & grabbing back flags Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate to ensure correct use Intervene to prevent general public use Intervene and educate to prevent dangerous behaviour of bathers trying to grab back flags Other Measures Recheck before use if set up in advance of booking

Pool Steps Damaged Steps Entrapment in or around steps Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate to discourage bathers from gathering around the steps Intervene and educate to discourage bathers from swinging or misusing the steps Other Measures Isolate, remove and report if broken/damaged Daily inspection/check sheet

Disabled Hoist Swimmer struggling with steps unaware of the hoist Incorrect use of hoist Control Measure Equipment failure/Poor maintenance Lifeguard Intervention Intervene if assistance is required Educate on safe use of hoist Other Measures Inspection and certification checks Isolate, remove and report if broken/damaged

Flumes & Features Bather collision on flume or at exit Damaged flume or feature Control Measure Steps and queuing Lifeguard Intervention Educate to ensure rules are followed Communicate and instruct bathers to queue safely and exit immediately to avoid collision Other Measures Signage on rules Isolate and report if broken/damaged

People Hazards: Health Problems Alcohol or Drugs before Swimming Weak or Non-Swimmers Young Swimmers Bathers Wearing Armbands and Buoyancy Aids Unruly Behaviour and Misuse of Equipment Pool Users with a Disability Swimmers holding their Breath Underwater Unauthorised Access to Pool area Pool Contamination

Health Problems Bathers with health problems unknown to staff Bathers taking medication onto poolside Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Communicate with other team members if bather discloses health issue Other Measures Bather should be encouraged to leave medication in their locker but in circumstances where medication needs to be immediate access medication must be stored beside Lifeguard Position (A) so it can be controlled

Alcohol and Drugs before Swimming Reduces coordination and senses, Increases risk taking behaviour Control Measure Impairs judgement Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate of dangers Request that bather leaves the pools for safety reasons Other Measures Point of sale to stop and challenge anyone suspected of being under the influence

Weak or Non-Swimmers Bathers may go out of their depth or try to go to the deep end Weak/Non swimmers may pull Control Measure themselves out of their depth using lane rope or guttering Lifeguard Intervention Bather may panic/lose confidence if Intervene and educate non-swimmers who try to go to deep end other user jumps in close to them or in front Other Measures Signage (e. g. water depth, no armbands)

Young Swimmers Unsupervised children under the age of 8 years Boisterous behaviour from groups such as teenagers Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and speak with parent/guardian if under 8 is left unsupervised Intervene and educate if boisterous behaviour is undertaken Other Measures Admission policy Signage on policy and rules

Armbands/Buoyancy Aids Bathers may float out of their depth or try to go to the deep end Parent/guardian taking child into Control Measure deep water Attempting to jump in at the deep end Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate to prevent users from passing designated point Other Measures Signage

Behaviour/Misuse of Equipment Inappropriate entries (Running dives, backward dives, somersaults, bombing, dives without hands in front, etc. ) Boisterous games Gymnastics and acrobatics Throwing equipment such as floats Pushing or ducking Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and stop bathers and explain the dangers Other Measures It is sometimes possible to pre-empt an individual who may be about to do something dangerously

Pool users with a Disability Unable to enter or exit the pool using steps Some may be unaware of depth changes Control Measure Emergency Evacuations Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and provide assistance for entry or exit of the pool Other Measures Complete PEEP for users especially regular users

Underwater Swimming Holding breath under water for long periods Swimming distances beyond 15 -metres Repeatedly diving to the bottom of Control Measure the pool to retrieve objects Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and educate bathers of the dangers associated with hyperventilation Other Measures If you see a bather taking rapid breaths prior to swimming under the water, stop them and explain the dangers. If they go under before you can intervene then watch/track the bather and speak to them when they resurface

Unauthorised Access to Pool Serious injury Accidental drowning Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and stop anyone accessing areas that are closed to public Other Measures Laser detection system Lifeguards to ensure doors/gates are secure before leaving pool area

Pool Contamination Infection to other bathers Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and clear pool of all bathers Request bathers to shower especially before entering another pool Other Measures Signs at reception advising not to swim if feeling unwell or have been unwell

Activity Hazards: Swimming Club Canoeing Club Float Session Inflatable Session Swimming Lessons

Swimming Club In proper entries Boisterous behaviour Control Measure Non-swimmers/Coaches on poolside Lifeguard Intervention Intervene, stop and explain the dangers Other Measures It is sometimes possible to pre-empt an individual who may be about to do something dangerously Booking policy/PSOP issued to club

Canoeing Club Entrapment in boat on capsize Impact injuries from other paddlers Control Measure Slipping injuries when carrying canoe Lifeguard Intervention Intervene and stop any unsafe practices Other Measures Suitably qualified instructor (certs & insurance obtained) and must be on poolside before class enters water Booking policy/PSOP issued to club

Float Session Falling off on to other swimmers due to standing on Floats Jumping on float from poolside Control Measure Entrapment under equipment Young and weak swimmers floating Lifeguard Intervention out of depth Intervene and educate to prevent dangerous behaviour by bathers Other Measures Signage on rules Additional Lifeguard support during structured sessions

Inflatable Session Jumping onto equipment from poolside Diving from equipment Control Measure Falling off onto other swimmers Entrapment under equipment Caught by anchor lines Lifeguard Intervention Control access Overcrowding Communicate rules prior to use Equipment failure Intervene and educate dangers Other Measures Signage on rules Inspection of equipment prior to use Height, age limits and swimming ability

Swimming Lessons Parents/Guardians on poolside Uncollected child after lesson Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Ensure swimmers do not enter the water until swimming teacher has arrived Other Measures Drop off and collection point for parents and teachers to exchange responsibility of pupil Rules for lessons issued to parents when enrolling on to lesson programme

Lifeguard Hazards: Absence/Inadequate Response in an Emergency Other Lifeguards or Staff Communicating with Bathers Equipment Set up/Take down

Inadequate Emergency Response Unobserved Wavered response to situation Control Measure Failure to follow correct procedures Lifeguard Intervention Intervene if other lifeguard fails to react Other Measures Ongoing staff training Written procedures Review of incidents or near misses

Other Lifeguards/Staff Talking on poolside Incorrect station position/patrolling Control Measure Incorrect supervision techniques Lifeguard Intervention Intervene if other lifeguards are not carrying out correct practices Other Measures Clear guidance issued to staff Regular observation checks by Shift Leader/ Duty Manger

Communicating with Bathers Distraction from supervision duties if prolonged Control Measure Lifeguard Intervention Limit the time spent communicating with bathers. Do not get into lengthy conversations Other Measures Additional Lifeguard support if supervision of other users is impeded

Equipment Set Up/Take Down Incorrect set up or take down procedures used Faulty or broken equipment Control Measure Unsupervised bathers Manual Handling Injury to lifeguard or bather Lifeguard Intervention Ensure training and safe systems of work are followed correctly Other Measures Training and safe systems for all staff undertaken Regular inspection checks and checks prior to use

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