Learn to Swim Safety
FACT SHEET
Does your school run ‘learn to swim’ programs as part of the curriculum?
Each year, Catholic schools and colleges organise ‘learn to swim’ programs and swimming carnivals for students and while swimming is an important part of a healthy physical education, it is not risk free.
Royal Life Saving Society-Australia’s National Drowning Report indicates that 49 people lost their lives at Australian swimming pools between 2009 and 2010.
Schools and colleges have a duty of care to students, staff and visitors under common law to manage foreseeable risks including risks associated with swimming activities and pools.
“Some common risks Life Saving Victoria see associated with swimming pools include unruly behaviour, slips and trips, damaged equipment and inadequate access control,” said Andy Dennis, Commercial Facilities Coordinator for Life Saving Victoria.
Mr Dennis said “Insufficient supervision underpins all of these areas, supervision is the key to getting swim safety right.”
When it comes to swimming, it is important to always be prepared for the worst case scenario. You can minimise the risks associated with swimming activities by implementing a risk management program for swimming and pool safety.
Taking a risk management approach
Identify hazards associated with the organisation and management of swimming activities for your school. Common risks present within a swimming pool environment include but may not be limited to: slippery surfaces; poor supervision; uncovered water filters; exposure to UV light; inadequate depth signage; and exposure to chemicals. In fact anything that has the potential to cause injury, loss or damage may be considered a risk.
Before you can begin to manage risk, you first need to identify what can go wrong? Risk management is about forward planning and involves taking a proactive
approach to protecting students, staff and others against potential injury or illness.
Schools engaging in swimming activities should identify potential or existing hazards, assess the likelihood of those hazards causing loss, prioritise the risks and treat or control them in order of risk ranking.
Example Swimming risks:
Hazard Risk Risk ranking
Unsuitable and unsafe safety equipment
Injuries and/or drowning
High
Lack of supervision
Drowning Very high
Please consult AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management – Principles and Guidelines for detailed information on risk assessments
CCI RM230 0613
Risk controls
¡ Where schools loan/hire facilities from external service providers they should obtain a letter of agreement/contract from the manager that outlines both parties’ responsibilities such as lifeguards, first aid, emergency procedures, water quality etc. Schools should ask for confirmation that the pool is compliant with the Guidelines for Water Safety in Commercial Learn to Swim and School Pools from Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) or Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation
¡ If schools hire out their pool to external parties they should also develop a letter of agreement highlighting the responsibilities of both the school and the hirer
¡ Make certain lifeguards are trained and qualified in the following:
• Bronze Medallion
• Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
• Senior First Aid Certificate
• Advanced Resuscitation Certificate
• Defibrillation Certificate
• Spinal Management Certificate
• Silver Medallion – Aquatic Rescue
¡ Swimming programs should be tailored to the range of student swimming abilities. Students and parents should be notified of the swimming program, with a survey of the swimming abilities reported to the school
¡ Students must be adequately trained and deemed as a competent swimmer prior to being allowed to dive from diving blocks. Students must also be adequately supervised whilst using the diving blocks
¡ Educate students on the use of protective equipment such as goggles, caps and ear plugs
¡ Ensure student supervision ratios take into consideration the student’s age, swimming ability and special needs and are in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines for Water Safety in Commercial Learn to Swim and School Pools
¡ Ensure adequate first aid and rescue equipment is provided for swimming activities in accordance with the Guidelines for Water Safety in Commercial Learn to Swim and School Pools
¡ Request that all students bring their own sunscreen and remind students to re-apply as required
¡ Ensure amenities are cleaned frequently, floors are non-slip and hand-soap is provided.
Monitoring and review
Monitor and review risk controls at regular intervals to ascertain effectiveness and amend controls if deemed inadequate.
Further Resources
Royal Life Saving Society-Australiawww.royallifesaving.com.au
Life Saving Victoriawww.lifesavingvictoria.com.au/www/html/ 7-home-page.asp
Surf Life Saving Australiawww.slsa.asn.au
Standards Australiawww.standards.org.au
Austswimwww.austswim.com.au
National Drowning Report 2010www.royallifesaving.com.au/resources/documents/2010_Drowning_Report.pdf
Your CEO and Department of Education in your state or territory.
Relevant Standards, Regulations and Acts
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management Principles and Guidelines
HB 266:2010 Guide for Managing Risk in Not-For-Profit Organisations
State WHS Acts and Regulations
For further information and assistance on learn to swim safety or to obtain a copy of our Pool Facility Inspection Checklist, please contact the risksupport Helpdesk on 1300 660 827.
To discuss your insurance options, please contact your Account Executive on 1800 011 028.
Important Notice: This publication is intended to provide a summary and general information only to clients of Catholic Church Insurance Limited. It does not constitute, and should not be relied on as advice or considered as a comprehensive coverage of the topics discussed. You should seek professional advice tailored to your own circumstances.
1300 660 [email protected] www.risksupport.org.au
If you would like further information about Learn to Swim Safety, please contact the risksupport Helpdesk on:
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