Health & Safety Executive

In the HSE paper called “'Invest to Divest' Programme"  published in March 2005, looking at how the organisation's resources might be better used, the following paragraph appears  

"Flexibility: we must remain alive to, and have the flexibility to respond to, events that can reopen HSC/E’s involvement in areas we have run-down, for example the recent experience on swimming pool safety. Loss of corporate knowledge can reduce our flexibility."

While leisure contractors are not named this would seem to be a reference to the greater health and safety autonomy given to swimming pool operators and to be questioning its impact on the public interest. 

If anyone has more information about the HSE's concerns I would be grateful to see it or a reference. PB

"Many within the industry have been surprised by the lack of official standards or legislation that apply specifically to swimming pools. For more than 10 years PWTAG (Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group) has campaigned to put this right and in the meantime the Swimming Pool Water manual has served many well. This new PAS (Publicly Available Specification) complements Swimming Pool Water and together they should encourage pool operators to maintain the highest of standards." - British Standards Institute statement accompanying the launch of "The Code of Practice 'Management of public swimming pools -- Water treatment systems, water treatment plant and heating and ventilation systems' - PAS 39:2003" from http://www.safetynews.co.uk/archive%20safety%20news%2025.01.04.htm 

It makes me wonder who might have opposed the PWTAG? PB

The following is from an HSE Inspector commenting on the court case that followed a drowning at a pool in Scarborough in 2004, unconnected to LC.

"Swimming in a swimming pool when qualified lifeguards are on duty is a very healthy and safe form of exercise. People who encounter difficulties while in the water are regularly spotted and assisted to safety. Very unfortunately each year a few people who get into difficulty, such as ___ ____, may tragically drown, if they are not quickly spotted and rescued.

The court today has recognised that those involved in operating and working at a swimming pool are required to maintain high standards at all times and act quickly in any potential emergency situation. The margin of safety is only a matter of a few minutes before a person underwater can drown. Most commonly, as in this case, another pool-user is the first to note another swimmer in difficulties. Any lifeguard has a duty to act quickly on warnings from the public. Pool operators also need to ensure that lifeguards can always clearly see any person below the water and, if there is any doubt, to respond rather than regret." from http://www.safetynews.co.uk/archive%20safety%20news%2001.02.04.htm