RLSS UK
Other
Action Planned
RLSS UK will raise swimming pool safety matters at the CIMSPA annual conference, which will host the launch of the HSE's revised guidance, Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG 179). The RLSS UK, CIMSPA and ukactive are committed to providing a summary of the changes and reminders about lifeguard vigilance. (AI summary)
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Dear Ms. Hassell
I am writing to you in reply to the Regulation 28: Prevention of Future Deaths Report regarding Mr. Anthony Cleon Grant who sadly passed away on the 19th August 2016. Once again, I would like to pass on my condolences to Mr. Grant’s family and those that knew him at this very difficult time.
I am writing to you specifically to request an extension to the time to formally respond to your FDR and I would like to explain the reasons for this request. I have taken the time to listen to the court recording to better understand the background to the case.
On receipt of your FDR I have been seeking to work in co-operation with the organisations listed in the report in order that collectively we could respond in the most appropriate way. I am pleased to say that Greenwich Leisure Limited, the Chartered Institute for Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and ukactive have all supported to work in a cooperative manner in order that swimming pool safety matters can be improved where appropriate.
Unfortunately, it has only been last week when it has been possible to meet as a collective to discuss the possible and practical action that could be achieved to prevent future deaths. At our meeting on the 9th January we discussed options that were available. However, it was noted that Greenwich Leisure Limited and the Lifeguard on duty on 19th August 2016 may be subject to criminal charges because of the incident.
I am conscious that any proposed action the Royal Life Saving Society take could prejudice any outcome of any criminal charges or indeed civil claims and I would be grateful if an extension could be granted until such time that the legal proceedings have progressed further.
The Royal Life Saving Society and our partners are committed to raising the standards of swimming pool safety and the performance of lifeguards. To support this further we are considering the creation of a further DVD to support such matters although we have reservations about using real life footage where legal proceedings are currently ongoing. In addition, I would welcome additional time to review what impact the use of real life footage would have on those staff (and colleagues) that were involved on the day and on the future recruitment of lifeguards to the wider leisure industry. In our previous two training DVDs we have, in most instances, used footage from fictitious swimming pool scenarios to stress the importance of lifeguard vigilance, combined with real life interviews. This has proved to be
Registered Office: RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JG T: 0300 3230 096 | E: info@rlss.org.uk | rlss.org.uk Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Charity Numbers: 1046060 / SC037912 Registered in England and Wales: 3033781 VAT Registration Number: 754 5285 12 successful in reminding lifeguards of the important role that they play and it would be this format that we would have preference towards in this instance.
However, we discussed that there is an imminent opportunity to raise important swimming pool safety matters that are detailed within the FDR, notably those issues concerning lifeguard numbers, lifeguard rotation and drowning detection systems. On the 21st February 2018, CIMSPA are hosting their annual conference and this event will host the launch of the Health and Safety Executive revised guidance, Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG 179).
As a representative of the Royal Life Saving Society UK I have the opportunity to speak about the revised guidance and will raise the important issues highlighted in your report.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK, CIMSPA and ukactive are also committed to providing a summary of the changes between the current and new versions of Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools. It is intended, alongside the summary, that we include clear reminders about the importance of lifeguard vigilance and about the roles that operators play in terms of safety within swimming pools. Within this publication, it is intended that we raise the issues highlighted in the FDR.
Prior to the FDR, the Royal Life Saving Society have been committed to creating a supervisory qualification that is aimed at Duty Managers. An aim of the qualification is to remind those that are supervising lifeguards of their responsibilities to prevent accidents. This will include information that you have highlighted in the FDR. It is intended that this qualification is launched in the first quarter of 2018.
In summary, considering the ongoing criminal proceedings I would welcome an extension for a period of three months before formally replying specifically on the matter of the training DVD.
Your sincerely
Martin Symcox Director RLSS UK
I am writing to you in reply to the Regulation 28: Prevention of Future Deaths Report regarding Mr. Anthony Cleon Grant who sadly passed away on the 19th August 2016. Once again, I would like to pass on my condolences to Mr. Grant’s family and those that knew him at this very difficult time.
I am writing to you specifically to request an extension to the time to formally respond to your FDR and I would like to explain the reasons for this request. I have taken the time to listen to the court recording to better understand the background to the case.
On receipt of your FDR I have been seeking to work in co-operation with the organisations listed in the report in order that collectively we could respond in the most appropriate way. I am pleased to say that Greenwich Leisure Limited, the Chartered Institute for Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and ukactive have all supported to work in a cooperative manner in order that swimming pool safety matters can be improved where appropriate.
Unfortunately, it has only been last week when it has been possible to meet as a collective to discuss the possible and practical action that could be achieved to prevent future deaths. At our meeting on the 9th January we discussed options that were available. However, it was noted that Greenwich Leisure Limited and the Lifeguard on duty on 19th August 2016 may be subject to criminal charges because of the incident.
I am conscious that any proposed action the Royal Life Saving Society take could prejudice any outcome of any criminal charges or indeed civil claims and I would be grateful if an extension could be granted until such time that the legal proceedings have progressed further.
The Royal Life Saving Society and our partners are committed to raising the standards of swimming pool safety and the performance of lifeguards. To support this further we are considering the creation of a further DVD to support such matters although we have reservations about using real life footage where legal proceedings are currently ongoing. In addition, I would welcome additional time to review what impact the use of real life footage would have on those staff (and colleagues) that were involved on the day and on the future recruitment of lifeguards to the wider leisure industry. In our previous two training DVDs we have, in most instances, used footage from fictitious swimming pool scenarios to stress the importance of lifeguard vigilance, combined with real life interviews. This has proved to be
Registered Office: RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JG T: 0300 3230 096 | E: info@rlss.org.uk | rlss.org.uk Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Charity Numbers: 1046060 / SC037912 Registered in England and Wales: 3033781 VAT Registration Number: 754 5285 12 successful in reminding lifeguards of the important role that they play and it would be this format that we would have preference towards in this instance.
However, we discussed that there is an imminent opportunity to raise important swimming pool safety matters that are detailed within the FDR, notably those issues concerning lifeguard numbers, lifeguard rotation and drowning detection systems. On the 21st February 2018, CIMSPA are hosting their annual conference and this event will host the launch of the Health and Safety Executive revised guidance, Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG 179).
As a representative of the Royal Life Saving Society UK I have the opportunity to speak about the revised guidance and will raise the important issues highlighted in your report.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK, CIMSPA and ukactive are also committed to providing a summary of the changes between the current and new versions of Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools. It is intended, alongside the summary, that we include clear reminders about the importance of lifeguard vigilance and about the roles that operators play in terms of safety within swimming pools. Within this publication, it is intended that we raise the issues highlighted in the FDR.
Prior to the FDR, the Royal Life Saving Society have been committed to creating a supervisory qualification that is aimed at Duty Managers. An aim of the qualification is to remind those that are supervising lifeguards of their responsibilities to prevent accidents. This will include information that you have highlighted in the FDR. It is intended that this qualification is launched in the first quarter of 2018.
In summary, considering the ongoing criminal proceedings I would welcome an extension for a period of three months before formally replying specifically on the matter of the training DVD.
Your sincerely
Martin Symcox Director RLSS UK