In another case highlighting the importance of thorough health and safety measures at swimming pools, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have fined Powys County Council after a four year old boy nearly drowned during a swimming lesson. The boy got into difficulty during a mix-age and ability play session at the end of his swimming lesson at Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre. The lifeguard was not at his station due to putting out lane ropes for the next lesson and instructors were distracted by other tasks, including completing forms or in conversation with each other or parents.
On arriving to collect his son from the lesson, the boy’s father could not see him amongst the other children taking part in the play session. It was then that he discovered his son floating face down in the water. He was pulled from the water not breathing and revived at the side of the pool. Although deprived of oxygen, he very fortunately made a full recovery in hospital. HSE Inspector Gary Martin said that the boy was “lucky his father turned up when he did”.
The HSE’s investigation found that the council had not properly risk assessed the swimming lesson, particularly the end of lesson mixed age and ability free play session. Staff did not have defined roles or positions to supervise the free play, the distraction caused by parents coming onto the pool side at the end of lessons had not been assessed and there was not adequate time or resource between lessons to adjust pool lane ropes. Powys County Council were fined £75,000 and ordered to pay costs of £16,000 after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
The HSE Inspector further stated: “Free play for children learning to swim is an important activity in building their confidence in the water. However, the risks of mixing swimmers of limited ability with children who may be older or stronger in the water must be managed correctly. The council could have taken simple steps that would not have led to a parent’s worst nightmare of finding their child floating unconscious in a swimming pool”.
Judge Geraint Walters spoke of the lack of effective supervision as being the main cause of the near tragedy, but how there had also been systematic failures in not carrying out a proper risk assessment. He also added: “The staff took their eye off the ball. The risk had not been addressed at all”. The classes have since been cancelled at the centre.
If you need a reminder of the importance of thorough risk assessment, this is it. This case could have been very different if the young boy’s father had not arrived when he did. Having the correct control measures in place following thorough risk assessment avoids near tragedies such as this and leads to safe swimming experiences outside the classroom. Handsam can advise on a variety of issues surrounding learning outside the classroom, including risk assessments. Please contact 03332 070737 or info@handsam.co.uk for further information.
See the HSE's press release here.
