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SPN JUN 2011 PoolSafety
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
Headlines throughout the world in the first few months of 2011 have again highlighted that safety in and around swimming pools is the hottest subject for the industry as the number of drownings increase. Teaching organisations have demanded better standards of pool education but the answer still lies in persuading pool owners to invest in quality pool safety products
tatistics have become an inevitable way of life when it comes to pool safety. There’s nothing as sobering as the release of figures which still show too many people, mainly children, die every year in and around swimming pools from drowning incidents. It’s a subject which is concentrating the minds of the pool industry and legislators all over the world.
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In the UK, the law on pool safety is not as demanding or strict as it is in France, Spain, Australia and the United States where the last 10 years has seen tighter controls on pool owners in terms of mandatory pool fencing, lockable access to pools and safety alarms.
However, recently released figures show how many swimming accidents there were across the UK although not all associated with swimming pools. According to statistics from the Water Incident Database system, 405 people died from incidents involving water in 2009, the last year for statistics. It is the first time that a report has been published using data from WAID, which was established by the National Water Safety Forum. A joint initiative between British Swimming and the BBC, the Big Splash, now aims to encourage thousands of people to visit their local swimming pool, where they will learn to swim and improve their techniques in a supervised environment. They will also be taught the basics of water safety. Popular brands from across the BBC – including television, radio and online – will support the campaign. It is hoped the Big Splash will play its part in lowering the number of water-related accidents for years to come.
David Sparkes, Chief Executive of swimming
governing body the ASA, commented on the WAID figures.
“Being able to swim and swim well is so important because ultimately swimming is the only sport that can save your life,” he said. “But children also have to be aware that swimming in open water such as lakes, rivers, canals and the sea is very different from the pool.” The call to improve safety standards in commercial pools has been stepped up by the Royal Life Saving Society to protect swimmers and staff. The qualification will ensure swimming pool staff are aware of health and safety legislation. The National Pool Management Qualification is for managerial level employees who have to deal
“According to statistics from the Water Incident Database system, 405 people died from incidents involving water in 2009”
with serious incidents in a swimming pool and those who have responsibility for health and safety within the facilities.
Tara Dillon, Executive Director of IQL UK, who run the qualification on behalf of RLSS UK, said: “Whilst swimming pool deaths are mercifully rare it is still important to have the most up-to-date knowledge when it comes to the law, in order to prevent accidents. We are seeking to drive up standards at the managerial level of our industry and assist operators in meeting their legal responsibilities.”
Every country takes its pool safety responsibilities seriously.
SPATA, the UK trade association, openly supports and promotes in particular two of the key areas for pool safety – the use of a quality pool cover and the option to have a pool enclosed. Pool covers were introduced into the UK over 40 years ago and their success has been such that pool owners everywhere consider the use of
a good quality cover an essential part of owning a pool and keeping it safe. Safety is even more of a concern if small children and family pets can access the pool area. Safety covers range from a simple safety net, which is tensioned over the pool when not in use, to a fully automated system which will cover the pool in minutes, by simply pressing a remote control switch. Pool enclosures are now seen as an opportunity to allow all year round swimming but the safety aspect is always to the fore. Added to the savings in heating and cleaning which a pool enclosure can bring, the prospect becomes very attractive.
The different types of enclosures also include architect designed buildings, glazed conservatories, log cabins and specialist aluminium/PVC and polycarbonate/glass enclosures specifically designed for the swimming pool environment.
Since changes in the planning rules for England in 2008, it has become more straight forward to determine if planning permission is needed. Local authorities can confirm the relevant requirements, which are set out under Class E of the Town and Country (General Permitted development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008.
By Alan Lewis
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