What are the lifeguard`s responsibilities within the Health and Safety Law?
- Take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others
- immediately report any loss of, or obvious defect, in any PPE issued by the employer
- use machinery and equipment in accordance with the training and instruction provided.
- notify the manager of any work situation that represents a serious and immediate danger to health and safety
What are the emploeyer`s responsibilities within the Health and Safety Law?
Protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work, and also members of the public using their premises.
carry out a risk assessment in the workplace, review it regularly and take all necessary steps to make the workplace safer.
Develop Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP), and make sure every member of staff understands them and follows them.
What does COSHH regulation relate to?
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002
It`s a regulation that requires employers to control/manage the risk from substances that are hazardous to health. e.g. in the swimming pool environment - cleaning chemicals and chemicals related to the pool.
What do PPE regulations relate to?
PPE is to be supplied and used at work whenever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways.
What do PPE regulations also require?
that PPE:
- is properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable
- is maintained and stored properly
- is provided with instructions on how to use it safely and is used correctly be employees.
What are lifeguard responsibilities?
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 7
Employees to take reasonable care of themselves and anyone else who may be affected by their actions i.e. Public.
To follow and apply Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP)
To cooperate with employer on health and safety matters and ongoing training.
What are lifeguard/employer responsibilities?
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 aims to protect people with disabilities and prevent disability discrimination. It provides legal rights for people with disabilities in the areas of:
Employment
education
access to goods, services and facilities.
buying and renting land or property
functions of public bodies (issuing of licence)
What does Equality Act 2010 also provide?
The Equality Act also provides rights for people not to be directly discriminated against or harassed because they have an association with people with disabilities. This can apply to a carer or parent of people with disabilities. In addition, people must not be directly discriminated against or harassed because they are wrongly perceived to have disabilities.
What are employer`s responsibilities?
Management of Health and safety at work Regulations 1999
These regulations ask your employer to make specific arrangements for the health, safety and welfare for you, your colleagues and people who use the facility you work in.
e. g.
- risk assessments
- H&S arrangements, such as consulting with you, Operating Procedures or Emergency Procedures, training.
- Capability & Training.
What are lifeguard`s responsibilities?
Management of Health and safety at work Regulations 1999
Your role in all areas is:
- Co-operate with your employer by upholding the arrangements which have been put in place to protect people.
- attend and follow the training provided
- do not interfere with these arrangements or any equipment you are provided with to carry our your role.
- to engage with your employer if you feel that more can be done to protect the safety of everyone who uses or work in the facility.
what is the employers responsibility?
First Aid at Work Regulations 1981
Requires, amongst other things, the employer to conduct a first aid needs assessment to decide such things as the number of first aid boxes required, the number and levels of qualifications of first aid trained staff.
what is the employers responsibility?
Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996
The regulations require employers to use a safety sign where there is a significant risk to health and safety that has not been avoided or controlled by the methods required under other relevant law, provided use of a sign can help reduce the risk.
Why teamwork is essential
- A well-trained team is more effective than an individual lifeguard.
- Having other well-trained staff on hand is essential not only in an emergency but for normal safe day- to-day operation of the pool environment.
- Knowing you have a team you can trust gives you the confidence to put a casualty first during a rescue
Why lifeguard should wear a uniform?
- easily recognisable by the public in an emergency - white tshirt, red/orange shorts (internationally)
- practical i.e. it should not hinder the lifeguard during a rescue.
- smart and presentable - to maintain standards and give the right impression to swimmers and the public.
Examples of poor and unprofessional lifeguard activity
- lack of respect for customers and staff
- talking to public or staff unnecessary whilst supervising the pool
- being distracted by public or staff unnecessary whilst supervising the pool
- using any personal device such as a mobile phone or smart watch
- chewing gum or eating whilst on poolside
- untidy or poorly presented uniform
- poor body language
- coming into work tired or hungover from the night before
general points when dealing with complaints
- listen carefully without interruption to ensure you get the full details
- ask questions to get more detailed information
- be sympathetic, not patronising
- recap the issue to show that you have listened and understood the reason for the complaint
- apologise without apportioning the blame
- explain the action you are going to take, how and when
- where, appropriate, check that any promised action has been carried out.
- be polite, positive and professional.
why is ongoing training important
to ensure that lifeguards maintain their knowledge, understanding and competency levels of lifeguard standards PSOP and are up to date about any changes or revisions.
what is PSOP
Pool Safety Operating Procedures
It consists of two documents
NOP - Normal operating procedures - outlining the safe day to day running of the building.
and
EAP - Emergency Action Plan - outlining what to do in foreseeable emergencies.
what is PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a phychological and physical condition that is caused by a very frightening or distressing event, such as an emergency in a swimming pool.
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Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks. They may also have problems concentrating and sleeping, and feel isolated and detached. These symptoms are often persistent and severe enough to have a significant impact on a person`s day to day life.
common headings in the EAP document
Overcrowding Disorderly behaviour (including violence to staff) Lack of water clarity Outbreak of fire (or sounding of the alarm to evacuate the building) Bomb threat Lighting failure Structural failure Emission of toxic gases Serious injury to a bather Discovery of a casualty in the water
common headings in the NOP document
Details of the pool(s) Potential risk Dealing with the public Lifeguards’ duties and responsibilities Systems of work Operational systems Detailed work instructions First aid supplies and training Details of alarm systems and any emergency equipment Conditions of hire to outside organisations
apportion (verb)
to give or share out something, especially blame or money, among several people or things:
The investigation into the air crash would inevitably apportion blame to certain members of the crew.
What happens to someone with PTSD
Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks. They may also have problems concentrating and sleeping, and feel isolated and detached. These symptoms are often persistent and severe enough to have a significant impact on a person`s day to day life.
How would you manage customer complaint while supervising the pool?
Ensure supervision is maintained by calling for back-up so you can look after the customer without pool`s safety being compromised.
