Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools /

Date: February 2017

Document summary

This guidance will focus on the need for pool operators to make provisions for health and safety based on risk, taking into account the circumstances that apply to each individual pool. It also emphasises the need, when addressing the hazards associated with running a swimming pool, for pool operators to consider both pool users and employees.

Contents

1.Introduction

2.Responsibilities

3.General

4.Pool Safety Operating Procedures

5.Pool Operation

6.Hygiene

7.Energy Conservation

8.Hydrotherapy Pools

9.Cleaning, Maintenance & Repairs

10.Staff Training

11.Lettings (see also model Letting Agreement)

12.Specialised Activities

Appendix 1: Swimming Pool Users Safety Code

Appendix 2: Signs to be displayed in the Swimming Pool Area

Appendix 3: Trouble Shooting

Appendix 4: Information Sheet on Cryptosporidium and Giardia

Appendix 5: Sources of Advice & Information

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Author:Health and Safety Team
Telephone:01273 481938
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Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools

1.Introduction

1.1Swimming is an important and popular element of the Physical Education Curriculum. However, safety precautions must be specific and rigorously observed by those responsible for the management and operation of pools. This document provides guidance for pool operators and all managers responsible for school pools. This will ensure that staffare aware of their responsibilities and that swimming pools are maintained and operated to the highest possible standards.

1.2The guidance will focus on the need for pool operators to make provisions for health and safety based on risk, taking into account the circumstances that apply to each individual pool. It also emphasises the need when addressing the hazards associated with running a swimming pool and for pool operators to consider both pool users and employees.

1.3The guidance has been revised to include policy information at the front of the document with the day to day management of the pool area being contained in the model Pool Safety Operating Procedures.

2.Responsibilities

2.1Head of Establishment

2.1.1The head of each establishment will be identified as the Pool Operator and therefore has responsibility for:

  • ensuring that health and safety measures are implemented to reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable
  • ensuring that the pool is used in a safe manner with respect to adequate supervision and teaching activities
  • ensuring that the pool is maintained in a safe condition
  • ensuring that a competent person is appointed as a pool manager to maintain the pool and effect necessary repairs. (See also "Control of Contractors")
  • establish Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP), consisting of Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) and Emergency Action Procedures (EAP)
  • ensuring that the PSOP are complied with, that there is a monitoring system in place to ensure compliance, and that there is a system of periodic review in place
  • ensuring that repairs are carried out in accordance with East Sussex County Council specifications for swimming pool construction and repair
  • ensuring that pool water quality is maintained
  • acquiring an Electrical Safety Certificate from an approved electrical contractor. A certificate is required before the pool is used initially and annually thereafter
  • ensuring that where duties regarding pool operations are delegated to a "pool manager", that this person is competent to perform those duties specified; has received sufficient training, and is conversant with this guidance
  • ensuring compliance with any local regulations, temporary or permanent, affecting the use of hose pipes or swimming pools
  • obtaining adequate pool supplies
  • ensuring a system is in place to report and correct defects
  • ensuring that all staff carrying out lifesaving duties are adequately trained in both lifesaving skills and knowledge of the PSOP
  • ensuring that when the pool is used by other organisations or groups they do so safely and in accordance with the PSOP and that a monitoring system is in place to ensure that the necessary standards are maintained.

2.2CS Procurement and Contracts

2.2.1At present, school swimming pools will be inspected by a designated officer of the Orbis, Property Services, Contracts Management team. Swimming pools are regarded as high risk areas in terms of health and safety and the Authority must take all reasonable action to ensure pool safety.

2.2.2A service agreement is negotiated each year between theOrbis, Propery Services, Contracts Management team and schools with swimming pools and special schools with hydrotherapy pools.

2.2.3Orbis Contracts Management team’s designated officer is empowered to make recommendations regarding the closure of a pool and will include the reasons and necessary action to return the pool to use. The headteacher will also be notified of the required closure.

2.2.4The Orbis, Contracts Management team provide training to caretakers. Advice is available from the team on 01273 482984.

2.3Supplies

2.3.1The school is responsible for replenishment of pool chemicals in accordance with the approved list of chemicals.

2.4Children’s Services Department

2.4.1The Children’s Services Department has responsibility as the employer in community and controlled schools and must therefore ensure that a safe place and safe systems of work are provided. To this end, Children’s Services may direct a headteacher to comply with these requirements if it feels that the health and safety of staff and pupils is at risk. Similarly, if work is required to be carried out, Children’s Services may carry out the work and charge the establishment if it feels there is a serious risk to health and safety.

2.5Environmental Health Officers

2.5.1The District or Borough Environmental Health Department has an overall responsibility to ensure that the pool is operated in accordance with hygiene regulations.

2.5.2Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) are entitled to visit the school and carry out inspection tests on pool water, pool environment etc. If any contraventions of the recommended requirements are identified they have the power to shut the swimming pool until these have been rectified.

3.General

3.1Risk Assessment

3.1.1All establishments with swimming pools require safe procedures to be developed to ensure the health and safety of pool operators and users.

3.1.2As a pool operator, under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an assessment of the risks to employees and others, as a result of the work activity is required. These requirements also take into account members of the public using the pools. Appropriate action should then be taken to eliminate or reduce those risks as far as is reasonably practicable.

3.1.3An assessment of risk is a careful examination of the hazards and risks associated with the pool:

  • A hazardis anything that may cause harm
  • A risk is a chance, great or small, that someone will be harmed by a hazard.

3.1.4There are five steps which pool operators need to ensure a proper risk assessment is completed:

  • Step 1 – look for the hazards
  • Step 2 – decide who may be harmed and how
  • Step 3 – assess the risks and take appropriate action
  • Step 4 – record the findings
  • Step 5 – regularly review the assessment and revise when necessary.

3.1.5The assessment must be carried out by a competent person and training is available to schools.

3.1.6The hazards associated with swimming pools must, therefore, be identified and assessments made, taking into account local circumstances such as the pool structure, equipment, manner of use and characteristics of those who may use the pool. These guidelines will provide a starting point to enable establishments to develop their own detailed arrangements.

3.1.7The implementation of safe procedures must start with an appreciation of the main hazards and who may be at risk.

3.1.8A model swimming pool risk assessment has been developed for your information. The risk assessment is aimed at the general hazards associated with the pool rather than the curriculum although there is obviously overlap. A model risk assessment is available on the Webshop.

3.2Written Operating Procedures (See also Sections 3 & 4)

3.2.1As a result of the risk assessment, every pool operator should prepare written operating procedures setting out the organisation and arrangements for ensuring pool safety. The procedures will be for reference by school staff and hirers.

3.2.2The document will vary considerably according to the circumstances of the particular pool but it should include a normal operating plan and an emergency action plan. The procedures should be updated regularly. The Pool Operator must ensure that the plan is prepared, issued and adhered to. Model documents are available on the Webshop.

3.3Insurance

3.3.1The County Council's legal liability, both as owner of the pool and in connection with official school activities relating to its use, is covered by insurance which indemnifies the County Council against claims on the grounds of negligence.

3.3.2The policy also includes members of a Parent Teacher/Friends Association provided such members are acting in a voluntary capacity in connection with a school function. The headteacher should be satisfied that the persons involved are suitably qualified and fully aware of all rules relating to the use of the pool.

3.3.3If a PTFA were involved in using the pool in a private capacity then they, in the same way as any other organisation, must ensure that adequate insurance cover is available as protection against possible liability to third parties.

3.3.4The use of the pool by outside organisations is governed by the conditions under which the pool is hired. See Lettings Section 10 and model letting agreement.

3.4Design of Pools

3.4.1Schools may wish to commission the construction of a new swimming pool and it is therefore recommended that schools obtain advice from Business Services (Property), to ensure that an approved contractor on the Swimming Pool Allied Trade Association register is used.

3.5Controlling Access to the Pool

3.5.1Effective precautions e.g. physical barriers should be taken to prevent unauthorised access to a pool intended to be out of use e.g. under repair, winterisation, etc. Children are often most at risk and special measures may need to be used. Plant rooms, chemical stores and other areas should be secured against unauthorised access. The risk assessment should include these factors.

3.5.2High walls or fences around an open air pool may be an inadequate deterrent to prevent unauthorised use. The risks should be assessed and appropriate measures taken to reduce those risks e.g. installation of intruder lighting and/or alarms. Signs prohibiting unauthorised use should also be displayed.

3.6Pool covers

3.6.1Various types of pool cover are available, including simple hand operated roller systems, automatically deployed covers, etc. Where pool covers are used as the primary means of preventing bathers’ access (e.g. in some open-air pools) the covers must be capable of supporting the weight of any person walking or falling onto them. They should also be resistant to vandalism.

3.6.2Pool operators will need to ensure that their employees are not at risk from hazardous manual handling when dealing with this type of equipment.

4.Pool Safety Operating Procedures

4.1Every establishment must prepare detailed operating and emergency plans,including a description, policy and arrangements.

4.2The Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) must include information on the depth of pool; the emergency arrangements; water quality testing, etc. A comprehensive model NOP has been developed and is available on the Webshop. It is recommended that schools use this document to develop their own plan.

4.3The Emergency Action Procedures (EAP) must include action required if an emergency arises in the pool area and should include poor clarity of water; overcrowding of pool; outbreak of fire (or sounding of the alarm to evacuate the building); discovery of a casualty in the water; diarrhoea in pool (Cryptosporidium and Giardia – see Appendix 4 for further information).

4.4The procedure should make it clear, if it becomes necessary, how to clear the water or evacuate the building. To ensure the effectiveness of emergency procedures management should ensure that all staff, pupils and hirers are aware of the arrangements contained in the NOP. A comprehensive model EAP has been developed and is available on the Webshop.

4.5A log book must be kept which will include the following documents:

  • daily log including any backwashing, chemicals added, testing results
  • reports from Environmental Health Officers
  • reports fromOrbis, Property Sevices, Contract Management team team (results of bacteriological analysis will be noted on officer visit reports)
  • completed reason for closure forms
  • copy of hire agreements including risk assessments.

5.Pool Operation

5.1Water Quality

5.1.1The standard of water quality is extremely important to reduce the risk of infection. Lack of clarity of water will indicate a problem with the standard of the water. This is in addition to the safety hazard presented by cloudy water, preventing persons from being seen at the bottom of the pool. Water quality must be maintained in accordance with pH and disinfectant levels as below.

5.2Personnel

5.2.1Competent trained personnel should only be considered for the management and testing of school swimming pools. The equipment used will require an ability to match colours; therefore staff should have good eye sight and not be colour blind. It is a requirement for staff using colourmetric testing, i.e. comparator, for them to be tested for colour blindness across the red and green spectrum.

5.3Testing the Water

5.3.1Regular testing of pool water is essential to ensure effective water treatment. Disinfectant residuals and pH values should be checked by sampling the pool before it opens and after closing.

5.3.2In general, disinfectant residuals and pH values should be carried out at least three times per day on lightly used pools or every two hours at a heavily used pool. If a pool is more heavily used e.g. swimming during the evening as well as the school day, the pool may need to be tested as often as every two hours.

5.3.3It is recommended that in manually dosed pools the water should be tested on a two hourly basis including a test before the pool is used.

5.3.4These tests should cover the following:

  • pH
  • disinfectant
  • clarity.

5.4Equipment

5.4.1It is recommended that a photometric tester that uses a beam of light to differentiate between the levels is used. The use of this equipment would remove the need for eyesight testing.

5.4.2It is essential that. where pools are open throughout the year, a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Meter is available for use.

5.4.3The following equipment is not considered essential, however, pools that are open throughout the year should consider these as desirable:

  • cyanuric acid test kit (for outdoor pools)
  • calcium hardness test kit
  • total alkalinity.

5.4.4Any equipment that requires caliberation should be done so in line with manufacturers instructions.

5.5Recommended Levels in the Pool

chlorine (free) / 1.0 ppm – 3.0 ppm*
bromine / 4 ppm - 6 ppm
pH (bromine) / 7.8
pH (chlorine) / 7.2 - 7.6
cyanuric acid / 25 – 50mgl/ppm
total alkalinity / 75 mg/1 - 150 mg/1
calcium hardness / 80 mg/1
total dissolved solids / 1000 ppm max above source water.

* pools will generally operate a minimum free chlorine level of 1.0 ppm – 3.0 ppm, although this may be increased up to a maximum of 5.0 in exceptional circumstances. If a pool has secondary levels of disinfection such as UV or Ozone the free chlorine may be lowered to between 0.5 ppm – 1ppm. The minimum and maximum operating levels within these ranges need to be determined by the pool operator depending on the quality and effectiveness of the water treatment system, the microbiological testing results and the comfort of swimmers and spectators. Further guidance can be obtained from the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) – Swimming Pool Water Treatment and Quality Standards. See Appendix 10 for purchasing details.

5.6Testing Procedures

5.6.1Ensure all equipment is clean and personnel are conversant with manufacturers’ instructions.

5.6.2Samples of pool water are to be taken at the same point in the pool and in the worst area. The testing point for the pool should be documented to ensure that all tests are carried out in the same place. Periodically, additional samples should be taken at different points around the pool.

5.6.3Whilst the pool is in constant use, it is recommended that two hourly tests should be carried out during the day. This may be reduced on a sensible basis if the pool is not in constant use such as weekends. However, on these occasions, tests need to be made before and after each swimming session.

5.6.4Water testing should be carried out away from the pool and surrounds to avoid the possibility of broken glass dropping into the pool.

5.6.5Personnel should be familiar with dilution techniques and how to recognise high levels of chlorine which do not show on test equipment. Chlorine or Bromine at high levels will bleach the colour out of the sample tested giving a false reading. If chlorine has been added or is suspected in the pool but no readings can be obtained, a No. 3 DPD tablet should be added to 10ml of pool water. If the water is over chlorinated or brominated a yellow to brown colour will develop. The extent of overdosing can then be established by diluting another sample with tap water and the results calculated according to the dilution used. Example 50% tap water with 50% pool water = double reading on test kit. This technique should also be used if the reading is above the scale range for test kit.

5.6.6The following should be tested in line with the manufacturers instructions ensuring the above levels are complied with:

  • Chlorine/Bromine testing
  • pH testing
  • Total Alkalinity test
  • Calcium hardness
  • Cyanuric acid.

NB: A Photometric tester will do a cyanuric test, total alkalinity and some will also do Calcium Hardness.

5.7Clarity

5.7.1Testing for turbidity by measuring the amount of light transmitted through a sample of water is not practical for normal pool water operation. A visual assessment of clarity should be made the criteria being to be able to see the bottom of the pool clearly from any position on the side (a "see through" distance of about 12 m or 40 ft).