Irish Water Safety in partnership with Swim Ireland and ILAM have produced "Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines", to be launched by Minister Michael Finneran at 11am on Wednesday 28th April 2010 at Dublin City Council's Markievicz Leisure Centre, Townsend St, Dublin 2.
The Guidelines will alert leisure centres and swimming pools nationwide to steps that they can take to reduce the potential for injuries associated with pools. Although swimming pools offer a greater level of safety, the risk of an accident or drowning is ever present. This risk is all the more prevalent with the upsurge in the number of leisure centres and pools opening in Ireland and the number of adults and children visiting these venues.
"The most serious hazard is of course drowning", commented Minister Finneran. "Although members of the public have a duty of care for themselves and those within their charge when visiting these pools, this updated resource offers aquatic accident and drowning prevention guidelines that will equip Swimming Pool Managers and Lifeguards to ensure that their standards meet the most current best practices."
A SAFE POOL ENVIRONMENT MEANS CAREFULLY FOLLOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES
In addition to exercising caution and good sense, swimming pool centres must take all steps necessary to ensure public safety. IWS, in consultation with ILAM and Swim Ireland has produced these guidelines for the benefit of public and private swimming pools and leisure centres alike.
"The publication will provide the leisure sector with guidelines and procedures that encompass rules of best practice that will help swimming pools to plan for the unexpected incident where seconds can make a difference", added Minister Finneran.
There are guidelines on structural considerations, risk assessments and lifeguarding that take into account the conditions particular to individual pools. There are considerations for the pool operators, the pool users and the pool employees and particular considerations with regard to child protection.
