Swimming Pool Audit

Title Page

Document No. KAL HSA 1
Audit Title
Client / Site
Conducted on
Conducted by
Location
Personnel

Pools & Related Specialist Areas

Does the facility operate a swimming pool?
Lifeguards spend no more than 60 minutes and in exceptional circumstances no more than 90 minutes on continuous pool supervision?
Where lifeguard chairs are provided, these are suitably designed and in a good condition (see work at height risk assessment).
There are means for a lifeguard to summon assistance to poolside?
Are lifeguard zone visibility test (LZVT) completed for the pools and lifeguards positions to ensure visibility and that therefore numbers and arrangement of lifeguards is appropriate? The effect of water features, non-uniform design of the pool, poolside spa and lifeguard chair positioning should also be considered in the visibility test. This should be detailed on the pool lifeguard position pictograms within the NOP.

Unprogrammed Swimming

Are rules of behaviour clearly displayed and enforced? The NOP includes a procedure for ejecting unruly swimmers?
Swimmers with a medical condition which may affect their safety in the water are advised to inform the lifeguards.
Swimmers with disabilities have sufficient helpers and their evacuation has been considered in the NOP? Have PEEPs been considered and implemented?

Programmed Swimming

Swimming teachers are appropriately qualified and understand their role within the emergency action plan?
Sub-aqua sessions are operated to BSAC or equivalent guidelines. Clubs are familiar with their part in the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
Canoeing sessions are operated to BCU guidelines. Clubs are familiar with their part in the PSOP/EAP.

Accidents/Incidents/Medical

There is sufficient provision of emergency equipment around the pool.
There is a drowning alarm with call points placed adjacent to lifeguard stations.
Safety equipment and the drowning alarm are checked daily. Records are kept.
Where there is a defibrillator, operators are trained in its use and receive regular refresher training (suggested at least three times per year). The status of the battery is checked regularly and the unit is maintained to manufacturer’s instructions.
Where there is a spine board, this is regularly inspected and maintained.
All incidents are recorded and subject to trend analysis. Staff are aware of RIDDOR requirements.
Evacuation of swimmers from the pool hall to outside has been thought through. This includes foil blankets, the surface over which the swimmers may have to walk, means to communicate with all the swimmers (might necessitate a high visibility vest and loud hailer), and a place of refuge until swimmers can be readmitted to the building.

Large Play Mats

Mats are checked pre-use for damage and/or soiling.
Mats are kept away from the pool edges.
Risk assessment has considered the maximum number of mats allowed in the water area to be used and any additional supervision requirements.
Mats are ideally allowed to air dry before being stored and are periodically disinfected.

Physical Environment: Circulation

Access to poolside from changing areas isn’t located close to deep water (1.35m or deeper). Where it is, access to the water is restricted by barriers etc.
Does the pool operate any features (e.g. slides, flumes)?
There is an effective means of communication for staff between the top of the slide and the splash down area. This is checked daily and maintained.
There is a PSOP for the slide including in NOP. This details the approved method of riding, minimum rider height/age, jewellery etc.
There are clearly displayed signs advising users of do’s and don’ts. These include the grade or difficulty of the ride.
Where riding mats are available, these are suitable for the purpose and in a good state of repair.
Routes within the pool area to features such as flumes don’t require swimmers to pass or queue near deep water. Where they do, precautions are taken.
Access steps are subject to regular cleaning and maintenance. Steps are of anti-slip design and free from the build-up of body fat.
There is a physical control to restrict access when the slide is closed or temporarily unstaffed/out of use
The slide structure is subject to structural inspection at five year intervals or as advised by a structural engineer. (6 monthly structural check should also consider this).
The sliding surface is examined before the slide is open for each use.
Pool surrounds aren’t obstructed with stored equipment and don’t suffer from congestion at busy times.
There is unobstructed access to the first aid room and for the emergency services to evacuate a casualty from this room to their vehicle.
Lighting is sufficient in normal conditions and also sufficient to evacuate the pool during a power failure?
Have overhead suspended air handling ducts and similar been inspected for structural safety in the past six months or as advised by a competent person?
'No Diving' signs conform to the Safety Signs Regulations (red circular pictogram on white background), and are fixed at a suitable height where they might otherwise be obscured by swimmers on poolside?

Physical Environment: Walls, Glazing & Surround

Wall finishes are not abrasive to swimmers within the pool hall or changing rooms?
Any sharp edges have been identified and dealt with. Chipped tiles are repaired promptly.
Fixed equipment such as fire extinguishers, lifeguards chairs, wall mounted storage brackets do not impede circulation or present a hazard for those in swim wear.
All glazing in the pool area is safety glazing?
Windows around the pool don’t cause specular glare and reflections or where they might, this has been identified and dealt with?
Water depth signs are well placed, clearly visible and metric?
Is the pool surround subject to a thorough cleaning regime to maintain its slip resistance?