A Canterbury based school has pleaded guilty to breaching section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 after failings on their part lead to the near death of a student. St Edmunds School Canterbury took a school group out to a summer camp during August 2014. The camp was run by St Edmunds and amongst the scheduled activities were swimming lessons.
Canterbury Crown Court heard how a seven year old pupil was taking part in a organised swim when he got into difficulties and struggled for over three minutes before becoming motionless. He was recovered from the water by the three lifeguards present and regained consciousness after CPR, but went on the develop pneumonitis. Pneumonitis is an inflammation of the lung tissue where fluid moves into the lungs and reduces the ability of the body to absorb oxygen. It can result in permanent scaring and in the worst cases death by respiratory failure.
The Health and Safety Executive lead an investigation following the incident that concluded that the lifeguards had been ineffectively managed and monitored and that there was insufficient supervision through a lack of vigilance. Shockingly it was revealed that only one of the three lifeguards held a fully relevant and in date qualification to save lives.
The school had failed to check that the qualifications of the lifeguards were legal and that they were fully able to protect the swimming children. They also failed to manage them correctly, allowing a serious incident to occur and lapsing in their duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to keep their students safe and well. The risk assessment was either not carried out, was no sufficient or was not obeyed. The staff present on the trip were not attentive despite young children taking part in a dangerous activity.
The school were fined £18,000 plus additional costs of £9669.19.
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