Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By FAH
It's been a grand Xmas & New year slaving away in blissful ignorance!
Now I've just read the following in a local free paper. I have no idea how true it may be; so anyone out there have any better knowledge of the situation? There must be someone on this Forum with some relevant & accurate knowledge; if so, could you enlighten us all please?
I'm not after why it may not be the best advert for responsible risk management; just the story behind the story.
For the pedants out there, be aware that I have paraphrased the article and especially have no involvement in any of the alleged risk assessments or consequent decisions.
Story:-
Local Authority - Carmarthen in South Wales. Apparently it has been decided by their insurers [who are quoted as "health & safety experts"]that all paddling pools must either be provided with full-time lifeguards or drained of water. There is a quote from a Councillor that "the councils hands are tied".
New Year, same old dross - Loose the hounds & let the chase begin!!!!!
Frank Hallett
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Neil R
haha ace
i can see it now, will the lifeguard have a high chair to provide a good viewing point!
Have they considered the possibility of a shark attack in said paddling pool? perhaps some cyanide tipped bullets should be available just in case.
Seriously though i do hate these councils
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Sally
I find this one particulary concerning as, if I remember rightly, there is HSE guidance which quite clearly says that paddling pools are not treated the same as swimming pools.
Most of the other 'elf 'n' safety' stories are about things which the HSE hasn't written (and wouldn't consider writting) guidance on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ron Hunter
Surprised they still have paddling pools! All ours were closed yonks ago - "for health and safety reasons" of course.
Reality though was trouble with vandalism (particularly broken glass deliberately placed in the water), dog owners allowing their dogs to cool off, and other modern societal ills.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Brian Hagyard
Yet again we are having a go at a Local Authority. The original poster stated quit clearly that this has been done on the advice of the insurance company. We are told we don't live in a heightened claim society, but ask any LA about the number of claims they receive and I am sure they will tell a different story. If you search the web you will find numerous news reports of claims made - some councils have even appointed officers to investigate for bogus claims - there was a TV programme on this about a few years ago I think it was in a Welsh Authority cannot remember how may thousand pounds a year they were saving but it was still in 4 fingers after the salary for the "investigator" was paid.
Some insurance companies are keen these days not to pay out on policies. I was in the unfortunate situation a few years ago of having my car stolen after somebody smashed in my house door and stole the keys. I had to supply copies of my wife's and my driving licence just to prove I had told the truth when I made my application. This was a well known insurance company who I had been with for years and previously I had been very happy with when my car was damaged wile I was parked, by an unknown driver. Can you imagine the consequences if a local Authority did not follow the insurance companies advice and a tragic accident occured for which a court decided they were liable.
And no i am not a local authority safety adviser/officer/manager before anyone asks but some of my friends are.
Brian
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By William O'Donnell
Yet again the devil is in the detail, or lack of it!
I draw your attention to the statement of Clive Scourfield, CCC head of leisure services "The dwindling number of paddling pools and their upkeep and maintenance has been a burden for years. It is becoming increasingly difficult to manage these facilities because of vandalism and stray dogs."
Appears what they need is a good reason to close the remaining pools, I wonder where they could find a convenient 'scape goat'for such an unpopular decision?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Tabs
Maybe it's time for a LA immunity clause?
Unless it is gross negligence, the costs outweigh the benefits.
It is not in the public interest to diminish our living standards to avoid small risks. Most LA's pay out enormous sums every year to gold-diggers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ollielifeguard
Finally, something that i can answer! :)
I have been a lifeguard for 7 years, and a trainer for 4 of that.
There is no legal requirement for any body of water to be lifeguarded, but HSE guidence offers minimum number of lifeguard per swimmer ratios. Therefore most LA operated pools have lifeguards on at all times. Private pools often only offer lifeguards at certain situations.
A good risk assessment is done by someone who can actually see the environment they are risk assessing. I therefore should hope the insurance company sent someone down to perform the assessment...and decided that a lifeguard was required.
I would suggest that where there is a body of water, where people swim, should be subject to SOME FORM OF risk assessment by the owner. Im not saying that we should risk assess every inch of the north sea here...im talking about in land pools/lakes and beaches where the public have free access.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ron Hunter
It is interesting to compare and contrast the "information" within the links Jane kindly provided. The truth is in there somewhere!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.