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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Wyvern Fitness Ltd – Terms & Conditions

West 11 Group and Wyvern Fitness LtdSwimming Pool SOP

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

This document should be read in conjunction with the Emergency Action Plan.

 

SWIMMING POOL

  1. Details of the pool

 

  1. The swimming pool is an outdoor swimming pool approximately 11 metres long by 3 metres wide. It is shaped whereby the sides are indented and then extend out to a wider point at the deeper end. The swimming pool water is circulated by a ribbon flow from the inlets at the shallow end to two skim boxes at the deep end. The pool is sunk into the ground with paving slabs surrounding and partly enclosed with wooden boarding; with two openings and a fourth side with a stone wall.  The pool increases in depth from 1m to 1.8m with steps at the shallow end and two high seats at the deep end.

                 2.  No diving is permitted

  1. Notices remind and instruct users regarding the depths and diving. Pool users should be instructed and/or reminded about these precautions and about the slope down to depth.

  2. The swimming pool has no lane markings.

  3. There are no access ladders to the pool and access is gained by the swimmer using the steps at either side of the shallow end.

  4. There is no pool hoist for the disabled and this is not a disability access pool.

  5. Access to the pool surround is via steps from TGS CrossFit gym or via the openings from the walled garden area. The changing facilities are inside the gym building a short walk down some stairs to the gym. There are two openings at either end of the pool which step onto grassed or stoned areas. 

  6. Telephones for emergency is by mobile phone; emergency numbers are displayed on the wall of the spa.

  7. There are rescue aids (i.e. ring and hook attached to the wall).

 

  1. Potential Hazards and their Risk

    1. The shallow depth of the pool renders it extremely dangerous for anyone diving and jumping into the pool, adults in particular, and is prohibited.

    2. Poor and non-swimmers passing un-noticed through the openings and  accessing the pool.

    3. The slope to the deeper end could be a hazard if not managed by instructors/swimmers carefully.


 

  1. Usage of the pool and dealing with swimmers

    1. Under 12 year olds must be accompanied by an adult.

    2. Swim instructors must be suitably qualified as per insurers guidelines

    3. Rules of use are clearly shown on posters around the pool, rules include:

NO DIVING    NO GLASS

NO RUNNING    

NO FOOD IN POOL    

  1. The house rules above should be enforced. Other dangerous behaviour in the pool and on the pool surrounds should be stopped.

5. All portable electrical appliances brought on to the poolside whilst the pool is in use shall be battery operated.

 

  1. Pool Supervision

    1. The pool must not be used for lessons unless a suitably qualified swimming teacher supervises the group. The whole area of the pool is a moderate risk but with adequate, active supervision these risks are reduced to a minimum.

    2. Swimming lesson pupils are not allowed onto the poolside without permission of the swim instructor and must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

    3. Swim lesson pupils may not enter the water without direct instructions to do so from swimming teacher.

4. The swimming teachers should hold the ASA Swimming Teacher   qualification or equivalent for the level of provision.

 

(e) Systems of work

  1. No swimmers must be left unsupervised in the pool or on the pool surround.

  2. The swimming pool configuration and size dictates that there is no capacity to have and effectively operate a spinal injury board.

 

  1. Operational Systems

    1. The swimming pool water shall be kept within recommended operating parameters.

    2. The Daily Safety Check shall be carried out and results recorded

    3. The swimming pool cover must be placed on the pool after use during the summer months

    4. No glass should be brought into the swimming pool area.

    5. Swimmers should wear appropriate swimwear i.e. traditional costumes.

    6. Swimmers are to remove all jewellery that may be a hazard to other swimmers. Rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces that cannot be removed either through tight fit or for religious reasons should be taped down to minimise injury to other swimmers.

    7. Safety signs to be maintained in good order.


 

  1. Detailed work instructions

    1. The bottom of the swimming pool should be swept of debris regularly and cleaned using the appropriate cleaner.

    2. Any scum accumulating on the pool walls at the water surface should be cleaned off as appropriate.

    3. The pool surround should be sluiced down with disinfected water as appropriate.

 

  1. Faeces contamination procedures:

    1. In the event of a well-formed stool being found in the pool it is to be netted out. The water is to be tested and if an acceptable level of free chlorine is present swimming can continue.

    2. In the event of a loose stool (Diarrhoea) being found in the pool, the pool should be evacuated for the period of one complete water filtration cycle 4 to 6 hours.

    3. In the event of receiving a positive plate count from the chemical analysis and/or the identification of cryptosporidia, the swimming pool should be closed and drained down and the pool and filter disinfected under the supervision of contractors and the Environmental Health Officer.

 

  1. Epilepsy procedures:

Epileptics can swim and take part in normal activities providing that they have been seizure free for one year and on appropriate medication, or accompanied by an adult one to one helper. 

 

  1. First-Aid Supplies and training

    1. There is a fully stocked first aid box accessible in the gym. 

    2. There is an Incident/ Accident Report Book available in the gym. All incidents/accidents must be entered in this book.

    3. Serious accidents must be reported to the HSE because of RIDDOR 

    4. First aid boxes to be replenished as required

 

  1. Details of alarm systems and any emergency equipment, maintenance arrangements

  1. There is a fire alarm system in the gym building.

  2. Alarm must be raised by air horn and mobile phone from within spa

  3. Fire extinguishers are situated in the gym building.

 

  1. Programmed sessions

  1. All programmed sessions must abide by the Normal Operating Procedures of the swimming pool and the terms of the Contract for Hire.

  2. All damaged equipment should be reported.

 

Maintenance

Chemical Dosing of Swimming Pool

 

  1. All chemicals are to be stored in the locked cupboard at the outside end of the spa through the chained doorway.  Rest of equipment to be stored in storage boxes by poolside

  2. The chemical readings should be taken manually at least once a day. 

  3. Pool Testing Log Sheet must be kept up to date, together with any action taken to rectify problems. 



 

Water Quality

  1. The pool water should be clear and pristine. The bottom of the pool should be visible at all times.

  2. If clarity is lost the pool must be closed until clarity is restored.

  3. If the pool Combined Chlorine level exceed 5ppm the pool should be closed until the water disinfectant is re-balanced.

  4. If the pH of the water exceeds 7.9 or is below 7.00 the pool must be closed until the recommended pH level is restored.

  5. The pool should be backwashed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. The strainer basket to be cleaned regularly. Backwashing not to be undertaken when the pool is in use.

  6. The filter to be internally examined as appropriate.

 

    

 

Wyvern Fitness

 

POOL EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN

 

This Emergency Action Plan (EAP) details what must be done to evacuate the swimming pool in the event of specific emergencies.

 

The emergency tasks are to be carried out by gym staff or in the event of a hire arrangement by the persons hiring the pool (see Contract for Hire).

 

The pool has several exits and all evacuation must take place through these. 


 

  1. Fire

 

In the event of a fire the person(s) supervising the facility shall give three short blasts of the air horn and announce ‘clear the pool – Fire, Fire, Fire’. The person supervising the facility should telephone 999 once the evacuation is complete and inform gym staff (Marks Kitacheva/Steve Williams 07746923894/Bek James 07590443536; Marg Oram 07541920607)

 

Users should evacuate the facility and assemble on the concrete area opposite the gym where there is a fire assembly point. 

 

When the users are safely away from the fire area the person(s) supervising the evacuation should alert the Fire Brigade by dialling 999 and inform them the facility is clear and that (s)he will meet the fire appliance at the entrance to the driveway.

 

Only when users are safely away from the fire should members of staff consider fighting the fire provided it is without personal risk! Fire extinguishers should only be used initially to provide a way through fires and save lives.

 

  1. Thunderstorms & Night Time

 

The pool should not be used during thunderstorms or after hours of operation.


 

  1. Disorderly Behaviour

 

In the event of disorderly behaviour the person(s) supervising the facility request that the disorderly user behave or leave the facility. If the problem persists the person(s) supervising the facility may wish to clear the whole area and stop the activity.

 

Finally, as a last resort the police may be summoned by calling 999.

 

  1. Lack of Water Clarity

 

If the water becomes cloudy or turbid and the person(s) supervising the swimming pool can no longer see swimmers beneath the water or on the floor of the pool the swimming should be stopped until the clarity is regained.

 

  1. Serious injury to a bather

 

If a serious injury to a bather occurs the person(s) supervising the swimming pool should not permit swimming to continue whist assisting the injured person.

 

When the users are safely away from water the person(s) supervising the swimming pool should alert the Ambulance service by dialling 999. First Aid should be administered.

 

  1. Discovery of a casualty in the water

 

The person(s) supervising the swimming pool should rescue the casualty by the appropriate method (throw, reach, wade and tow).

 

Support staff should ensure all other users are safely away from water and use a mobile telephone to summon assistance as appropriate or should then alert the Ambulance service by dialling 999 or arranging for another helper to do so.

 

The casualty should then receive CPR as appropriate

 

  1. Serious injury to other user

 

If a serious injury to a user occurs the person(s) supervising the facility should not permit the activity to continue whist assisting the injured person.

 

When the users have stopped the activity the person(s) supervising the facility should alert the Ambulance service by dialling 999. First Aid should be administered if there is a qualified first aider present or capable of being summoned.

 

Gym staff should be summoned whenever the EAP is activated


 

Marks Kitacheva/Steve Williams 07746923894

Marg Oram 07541920607

Bek James  07590443536

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