Posted By Joe Ridley Hi all, Could anyone help with this question, I work for a leisure company which manages leisure centres including swimming pools. Staff on duty on the swimming pools wear flipflops, others wear trainers. Now having worked on pools myself for many years, I have never worn flipfops and feel they could hinder an attendant carrying out a rescue, at worst they could trip or fall with them on. After discussing with the manager and looking at HSG 179, I am none the wiser as to what they should be wearing. My guess is to carry out a risk assessment and then determine what should be worn. This assessment may also include testing of the slip resistance of the tiles. Am I on the right track here? Has anyone else been involved in this type of scenario? Also the provision of appropriate footwear, would it come uner PPE regs? Any help would be appreciated Thanks Joe p.s Posted orginal on wrong forum initially...sorry..that time of night

Posted By Ken Taylor The HSE and Sport England view (as per HSG179) is that lifeguard clothing should be 'of a design appropriate to their role and should not hamper them during an in-water rescue'. That, when taken with the duty to assess significant risks, should lead to safe, suitable and appropriate poolside fotwear and may well require provision by the employer. An interesting alternative is those who choose to wear no footwear in order to be ready to swim more effectively if necessary. Has anyone here had this question answered during National pool lifeguard training?

Posted By Stuart Nagle In response to the questions raised; 1) I personally have never found a sports trainer that will prevent slipping when running on a wet poolside, most tried proved poor in use. 2) Flip-flops (V type that fit bewteen the toes and crossband over foot type) were found to be positively dangerous when running, even on dry surfaces 3) flip-flops that secure around the ankle as well as having crossbands over the foot were found to be safer when running, although not good if required to run any distance. 4) Many flop-flops (of type as above at 3) were very light, weighing only a few ounces, however the best flop-flops of this type were found to be the 'Speedo' make with fitted heel and elastic/spandex type sides and crossbands, with a neoprene type sole. However, they were mucj heavier and more expensive (£15.00 pair). 5) there was no significant difference in the ability to swim using cross band flip-flops that were fitted with ankle fastnings. Ordinary flip-flops come off when diving into the water or tangle on the toes and cause discomfort. 6) wet poolsides are slippery surfaces, even if surafces of tiles are supposed to be 'non-slip'. One of the best surfaces for grip, even when wet was found to be wire cut clay pavious (bricks to you mate), which have a sharper macro and mirco texture but are more severe in respect of impact injuries (they cut). 7) the best method was found to design poolsides that have a crossfall back to the pool (not away from the pool) and provide a surface that allows water to drain from the surface quickly (a design feature of the tile surface normally) and that was squi-geed off regularly to remove excess water. Hope this of some use.... Stuart

Posted By Joe Ridley Thanks for all your comments, I have pointed out to the manager that a risk assessment will determine the type of footwear to be worn and as such one will be carried out. Hoefully this will clear up the issue. I will be checking out the suggestions made by Stuart. One other question for Ken, have you had tiles slip tested and if so how was this done? Ken, in the pool lifeguard training stuff, I have checked with our training officer who is also an assessor for the pool lifeguard award and she confirms this question has not been asked. Cheers Joe

Posted By Andy McGrath My company provides footwear for which I am responsible for ordering. I order only one pair at first, then get a couple of members of staff to try them out for their suitability on poolside. If they are happy with them, then i proceed. I also get them to sign that they are happy with the shoes (usually Union reps). If its any use I have found that Mizuno & Asics, both supply suitable shoes at reasonably cheap prices £15-£25 per pair.

Posted By Hilary Charlton What's wrong with plimsolls?