NORMAL OPERATING PLAN & EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
NORMAL OPERATING PLAN & EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
The Normal Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plan will be referred throughout this document as NOPs and EAPs.
The NOP outlines the day-to-day operational procedures for the swimming pool. These procedures set out the arrangements for users' safety and should be followed by whoever is responsible for any group using the pool.
The EAP outlines what emergency action to take, and who assumes leadership, in the event of foreseeable emergency situations arising.
All persons working for Lathom Private Swimming Pool, or individuals/organisations hiring the pool must be made aware of the NOPs and EAPs and must be given a copy.
This document will be reviewed on an annual basis or following an incident/accident.
NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURE:
· Details of the pool:
· Potential risk areas:
o COVID-19
o Access
o Changing cubicles
o Pool steps
o Drain covers and water inlets
o Blind spots
o Water depth
o Water quality
o Hazardous substances
o Plant room
o Electrical
· General
o Notices
o Safety equipment
o Emergency services procedure
o Clothing
o Equipment check
o Discipline
o Checks on numbers
o Maximum bather loads
o Staff qualifications
o Guidelines for teachers
o Hygiene
o Responsibility
o Risk assessment
o Child protection
Details of pool
· Pool size is 10m x 6m, with a depth of 4ft 8” throughout after descending the steps
· The entrance to be used in emergencies is the patio doors direct to the garden.
· There are depth markers on the wall indicating the depth of the water.
· A first aid box is situated in the toilet area beside the mirror.
· In an emergency please press the emergency buzzer located on the wall by the double doors.
· Light switches are on the wall on the left upon entering the pool. The toilet room and shower room have separate light switches. The mains switches are located in the plant room.
Potential Risk Areas
· COVID-19
We will do all that we can to ensure the pool is hygienically clean for all swimmers. The pool area will be cleaned thoroughly after each session, including door handles, light switches, chairs, shower and toilet areas, and floors with a solution containing H1N1 active ingredient.
If anyone has any symptoms of COVID-19, you MUST inform at least 2 hours prior to your swim. You will not lose your money if you adhere to this, and arrangements will be made to rebook the session. Safety of everyone is paramount and MUST be followed. This includes staff and swimmers. For information on symptoms, please see Government Guidelines https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/
· ACCESS
o The person in charge of the group will control the entry to the building and make sure that no one enters the poolside until they receive permission from the named hirer of the pool. All shoes should be removed on entry to the swimming pool area and placed in the box provided. Under no circumstances should shoes be worn around the pool area. Blue overshoes are provided should there be an exception to this and should be worn at all times.
· CHANGING ROOM
o Changing room supervision should be relevant to the age of the children/group
· POOL STEPS
o Hirers must ensure that all users are aware to walk down the roman steps into the pool.
· DRAIN COVERS AND WATER INLETS
o The drain/air blower is situated at the far left of the pool and the skimmer at the front of the pool in the middle. On no account should bathers be allowed to dive and touch or attempt to remove these. And no attempt should be made by bathers to block these.
· BLIND SPOTS
o Due to water movement, artificial lighting and reflection, constant positioning of the responsible adult will be necessary to ensure that all areas of the pool are visible.
· WATER DEPTH
o Hirers must be aware of the deep water hazard and that any underwater swimming could be detrimental to bathers with ear complaints.
· WATER QUALITY
o Water quality testing will be carried out daily and a record kept on site. Inside the plant room door information is displayed stating when the pool was last checked. The proprietors will ensure that the chemical balance of the water is appropriate. If the clarity of the water is poor, no bathers will be allowed in the pool until the problem has been rectified.
· HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
o Materials used in the cleaning of the pool and swimming pool complex involve the use of some hazardous substances. These products will never be left unsecured and will be kept in the plant room.
· PLANT ROOM
o This area is to be out of bounds to all unauthorised personnel. The plant room will be kept secure at all times. Access should only be allowed for maintenance or emergencies.
· ELECTRICAL
o No electrical mains equipment (eg radio, video recorder, hairdryers) of any description are allowed to be used anywhere in the swimming pool room.
GENERAL
· NOTICES
o Swimmers and spectators alike are requested to comply with any notices around the pool and changing room areas.
· SAFETY EQUIPMENT
o Any lifesaving equipment placed around the pool must not be used except for emergencies.
· EMERGENCY SERVICE PROCEDURE
o In the event of the need to call the emergency services, please call 999 and give the information:
Location: 242 Blaguegate Lane, Lathom, Skelmersdale, WN8 8TX Telephone number: 07752533920
· JEWELLERY
o The wearing of jewellery and watches is not allowed.
· DISCIPLINE
o Good discipline must be maintained at all times. No running or pushing should be allowed in any areas including changing area.
· MAXIMUM BATHER LOADS
o Pool proprietors will, as part of the risk assessment, assess the maximum number of people who can safely be admitted to the pool. Admissions are controlled at the point of entry to the building.
· QUALIFICATIONS
o Proprietors undertake annual first aid and health and safety courses.
· GUIDLINES FOR SWIMMING TEACHERS
o Swimming teachers must be familiar with the following issues:-
v The responsibility lies with the head of establishment for ensuring that the swimming teacher’s qualifications are up to date and valid.
v Swimming teachers should not leave the building until all changing rooms are empty.
v Outdoor shoes are not allowed on poolside. Visitors/spectators should use blue overshoes provided.
· HYGIENE
o Bathers must not enter the pool with open wounds or sores.
o The wearing of outdoor shoes around the poolside is not allowed - the blue disposable over shoes must be worn if shoes are not removed.
· RESPONSIBILITY
o The responsibility for the safe system of work lies with the proprietor. The supervision and safe running of swimming sessions lies with teachers/coaches/hirers. To minimise accidents, it is essential that they make themselves familiar with both the NOPs and EAPs. It is essential that all responsible persons know the operating procedures for the pool.
o Swimming teacher's responsibilities
v The overall safety of the lesson is the responsibility of the swimming teacher.
v The swimming teacher is responsible for the safe teaching of all water skill practices that are being taught in all groups in their pool.
v The swimming teacher will be expected to enter the water in a poolside emergency.
v The swimming teacher should teach from a position where he/she is able to see clearly all children being taught in their class or groups.
v The swimming teacher is responsible for the safe use and storage of all poolside equipment during and after a swimming session.
v The swimming teacher must bring to the attention of the pupils, when they first visit the pool, the EAP, the depth of the water and any relevant notices.
v If the swimming teacher feels that there are factors, which could constitute a danger, the lesson should be discontinued. Advice should be sought from the proprietors and the all clear given before any swimming lesson continues.
v Every swimming teacher should have a fully charged mobile phone on their person in case of emergency.
· RISK ASSESSMENT
o Swimming activities must be subject to a risk assessment. For hirers the risk assessment has been completed by the proprietor.
· CHILD PROTECTION
o During group swimming lessons the taking of photos or videos is strictly forbidden.
o All swimming instructors should have up to date DBS checks.
o The proprietor of Lathom Private Swimming Pool has an up to date DBS check.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
· Emergency procedure in case of a fire
· Lack of water clarity
· Emission of toxic gases
· Lighting failure
· Structural failure
· Serious injury to a bather
· Discovery of casualty in the water
· Faecal contamination
· EMERGENCY PROCEDURE IN CASE OF A FIRE
o On discovering a fire in the swimming pool complex:
o Alert all bathers and instruct them to leave via the nearest exists and assemble on the lawn outside the pool building.
o Swimming teacher or hirer to check changing facilities and toilets to ensure nobody is left in the building.
o Activate the buzzer to alert the proprietor.
o Call the fire brigade.
· LACK OF WATER CLARITY
o If the clarity of the water deteriorates during a session clear the pool IMMEDIATELY and contact the proprietor by pressing the buzzer.
o If the clarity of the water is poor on entering the building do not allow the bathers to enter the pool and contact the proprietor by pressing the buzzer.
· EMISSION OF TOXIC GASES
o If there is a release of toxic gases the pool must be cleared IMMEDIATELY. On leaving the building activate the buzzer to alert the proprietor and then assemble on the lawn outside the pool building. The proprietor will contact the emergency services.
· LIGHTING FAILURE
o In the event of mains failure, there are emergency lights in the pool area. There will be sufficient lighting to enable staff to clear the pool and changing facilities, but not sufficient to continue with the normal use. Instruct people to change and clear the building, taking all their belongings, and then close the pool until full lighting is resumed.
· STRUCTURAL FAILURE
o If any signs of main structural failure appear, the building should be cleared IMMEDIATELY and the proprietor notified.
· SERIOUS INJURY TO A BATHER
o The hirer will identify the problem and either dial 999 for Emergency Services, or administer first aid and alert the proprietor by pressing the buzzer.
· DISCOVERY OF CASUALTY IN WATER
o In the case of a conscious casualty, the hirer will identify the situation and seek assistance by pressing the emergency buzzer.
o In the case of an unconscious casualty, the hirer should call the emergency services, and seek assistance by pressing the emergency buzzer.
o Casualties suspected of having sustained a spinal injury will be stabilised within the water or poolside and no attempt should be made to move them prior to the arrival of the emergency services.
· FAECAL CONTAMINATION
o In the event of faecal contamination, clear the pool IMMEDIATELY and inform the proprietor. No unauthorised personnel are to enter the pool building until the 'all clear' has been given by the proprietor.
Cryptosporidium or Giardia
Although a person suffering from a severe gastro-intestinal infection will invariably be ill, and unlikely to visit a pool, the procedures for disinfection and closure for a six-turnover cycle, must be followed if cryptosporidium or giardia is suspected. The local consultant in communicable diseases control should be notified.
Note
In order to ensure the safety of the users, the proprietor will carry out microbiological monitoring and collect water samples using sterile equipment and submit water samples for bacteria analysis. (A clear reading of the water sample must be obtained before re-opening the pool).
Training standards
Pool water testing must be taken at least twice a day, or more often if the water balance fails the standard.
Tests must be taken and all readings recorded in the pool plant operator’s book already discussed.