OAS Swimming Pool Policy

SWIMMING POOL USE

RATIONALE:

This policy is a legal requirement, if the Onewhero Area School Pool is to be used by others outside of school hours.

Guidelines:

1. This policy shall be available to all pool users (copy given to those who qualify for an 'after hours key' (Onewhero Swimming Pool com., Onewhero Swimming Club etc)

2. This policy should be easily accessible (on display by the pool gate(s)).

3. The content of the policy shall include rules of the pool (see Appendix 1) also details pertaining to swimming pool - MOE legislation (see Appendix 2).

4. Further to the Pool rules (Appendix 1) the following safety provisions must be clearly understood:

(a) No person is to swim alone
(b) Children under 8 years are not permitted in the swimming pool compound unless supervised by a person at least 16 years old
(c) During any session when the pool is in use, there shall be at least one person designated as the swimming pool supervisor, who will supervise the pool at all times. The number of additional supervisors required will be determined by the number of swimmers (e.g. rule of thumb - 1 supervisor for every 35 persons)
(d) The pool gate is to be securely closed at all times
(e) Behaviour that could be considered dangerous (e.g. running, pushing, holding under etc) is prohibited
(f) A list with an emergency telephone number and the location of the First Aid list (which should be available within the Pool complex in a secure place. A key should be provided for permitted users - along with the gate key)
(g) Changing rooms shall have properly closing doors, walls without holes, no broken windows, places to store clothing and adequate lighting
(h) Toilets should be provided within the pool enclosure
(i) All pool equipment, such as leaf scoops etc should be kept in a secure place out of the thoroughfare to prevent hazardous obstruction
(j) The use of inappropriate aquatic equipment should be discouraged to prevent endangering other users.

Board Of Trustees Chairperson: ________________________ 27/10/2009

Policy reviewed, October 2009. Next review date October 2012.

Appendix 1

ONEWHERO AREA SCHOOL Rules of the Swimming Pool

. Chemicals in use - Pool closed
. This pool is for the key holder only
. Access for casual use is only by prior permission of the Principal and/or Pool Committee
. All users must behave responsibly at all times
. Children must be constantly supervised by a responsible adult
. Users must produce their key and identify themselves on request
. Trespassers may be prosecuted
. Onewhero Area School has a 'Smoke Free Policy'
. Swimming Pool Hours are from 6am - 9pm
. No food or drink to be consumed in the changing rooms or in the pool itself

Appendix 2 (obtained from the MOE webpage) Property Management full index

MANAGING SCHOOL PROPERTY Health and Safety

Health and Safety Code of Practice for State and State Integrated Schools

Ministry Health and Safety Code of Practice (size 316 KB , est. 1:04 @ 56kbps )

31 Swimming pools

31.1 Board of trustees duties in relation to pool users

(a) during school hours, Boards shall ensure the health and safety of students, staff and others using the school swimming pool as detailed in clauses 31.2 to 31.6 below;

(b) outside of school hours, the Board is not responsible for any harm to pool users provided that when the pool and surroundings is made available to the public, the Board complies with the provisions of this Code. This includes the duty of the Board to warn those who have permission to use the pool of any out of the ordinary, work related hazards that they should be aware of, such as construction work within the pool site.

31.2 Fencing of swimming pools

All school pools should be fenced in accordance with the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 and the New Zealand Building Code, including a gate with a self-closing mechanism;

31.3 Swimming pool policy

Boards shall have a pool policy detailing the use of the swimming pool. This policy shall be available to all pool users, including the public, who use the pool with the permission of the Board. The policy should be easily accessible, such as on a notice board beside the gate. The content of the policy shall include rules of the pool, use of equipment and location of amenities and the following safety provisions:

(a) no person is to swim alone;

(b) children under 8 years are not permitted in the swimming pool area unless supervised by a person at least 16 years old;

(c) during any session when the pool is in use, there shall be at least one person designated as the swimming pool supervisor who will supervise the pool at all times. The number of additional supervisors required will be determined by the number of swimmers;

(d) the pool gate shall be securely closed at all times;

(e) behaviour that could be considered dangerous, such as running, pushing, holding under and screaming, is prohibited;

(f) a list with an emergency telephone number and the location of the first aid Kit.

31.4 Swimming pool water quality

The quality of the pool water shall meet the requirements of the NZS 5826:2000 Code of Practice for the Operation of Swimming Pools (or any update of that Standard). This standard has the following requirements:

(a) a filtration system that can cope with the treatment regime in the Standard;

(b) regular testing of the water which includes monthly microbiological monitoring. This testing cannot be carried out by the school and requires pool water samples to be sent away to laboratories specialising in water treatment. The local public health office can provide the location of the nearest testing laboratory;

(c) avoidance of overuse by bathers to prevent degradation of the water leading to a high health risk for swimmers. The Standard provides the desired values for the correct pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, freely available chlorine, total chlorine and other features that make up the pool chemistry;

(d) appropriate action to be taken in the event of a faecal discharge or a diarrhoea incident in the pool, which has the potential to introduce Giardia or Cryptosporidium to pool water;

(e) the water treatment systems to be undertaken by a person holding NZQA unit standards in swimming pool water quality;

(f) the management of pool water quality is under the continuous technical supervision of a qualified person who is readily accessible when the pool is operating;

(g) the safe handling and storage of potentially unstable and explosive pool chemicals.

31.5 Storage of chemicals generally

All pool chemicals should be stored in a securely locked room away from the swimming pool and changing rooms. Children should not have access to any chemical store key or be involved in the handling of pool chemicals.

31.6 Changing rooms and other facilities

(a) changing rooms shall have properly closing doors, walls without holes, no broken windows, places to store clothing and adequate lighting;

(c) a first aid kit shall be available within the pool complex, in a secure place to prevent vandalism. A key should be provided to permitted users of the pool along with the gate key;

(d) all pool equipment, such as leaf scoops etc, should be kept in a secure place out of the thoroughfare to prevent hazardous obstruction;

(e) the use of inappropriate aquatic equipment should be discouraged to prevent endangering other users.

31.7 Water Safety New Zealand

There are a number of pieces of legislation and Standards which schools are required to comply with for the operation and management of a school swimming pool. Combined, these ensure a safe and secure environment for pool users, as the school swimming pool is perhaps one of the most potentially dangerous sites within a school.

Water Safety New Zealand has redeveloped and updated their guidelines for school swimming pools. This resource provides guidance to Boards of Trustees for best practice in the operation and management of school swimming pools. Most of the information presented in this guide has been incorporated into a number of Ministry of Education guidelines and policies since first raised as an issue in the late 1990s.

The resource is free and available on-line HERE

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

All pool users, outside school hours must sign a declaration to state they have read and understand the pool user regulations and rules.
The tester of water quality must have passed the required Unit Standard for water testing.