LACE Project – Case study: Public safety and maintenance issues at an LA sports facility and swimming pool

Outline

In partnership with a private company, a Local Authority was building a new leisure centre/swimming pool. The centre was owned by the LA but managed by a private company. Plans were submitted and the Environmental Health Department was consulted. The Health and Safety (H&S) team submitted comments on the proposals, particularly in relation to pool gradient and maintenance work at height issues. It appeared the H&S comments were not taken into account when the project was carried out. Later, following a major injury at the swimming pool, investigations identified a number of non-compliances and poor design features.

Issues identified

1. Concerns raised by H&S were not adequately taken into account at the planning stage by the planning department or, consequently by the designers.

   Resolution:
   Following a meeting between Planning and H&S, there is now a much closer working relationship between the two departments and similar such problems should not recur.  The H&S Team is now aware of its powers under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) and is more able to take proactive action with designers and clients.

2. Light bulbs are not located directly above the pool but situated on the outside edges. Assurances were given that a cherry picker can be used to change light bulbs. However, ducting is disguised by seating which juts out over it around the perimeter of the pool. This severely limits the space for cherry pickers to gain adequate access. If ladder equipment has to be used, it will be footed dangerously close to the pool’s edge.

   Suggested resolution:
   risk could have been designed out e.g. by installing a pulley system for raising/lowering light fittings, although retrofit may be difficult.

3. The pool floor is dark in colour (“real beach effect”) – lifeguards have complained that poor contrast makes it harder for them to see darker skinned people who may be in difficulty. The contractor states that practise runs using white coloured dummies have been successful.

   Suggested resolution:
   Use darker coloured dummies for practises and change the floor colouring if it is assessed that this action is required.

4. Lighting from the windows reflects too much on to the pool surface reducing the ability of lifeguards to see from the poolside.

   Suggested resolution:
   Retrofit non-reflective film to the windows and employ more poolside lifeguards in the interim.

5. The flooring finish is a smooth concrete that has adequate slip resistance when dry but has a high slip risk when wet.

   Suggested resolution:
   Wet spectators have been banned until the flooring has been changed and appropriate handrails have been provided.

6. Reflective panels hang down from the ceiling at the edges of the pool to help distribute light, which they do well in their current positions. The centre intends to introduce water polo and other such sports; there is a high risk of the panels being hit by balls and they will need to be constantly readjusted in order to maintain good distribution of lighting.

Principle

All of the issues identified within the case study should have been considered at an early stage in the project and designed out. The Client and Designer should have been aware, or been made aware of their duties under CDM. This outlines the missed opportunity to inform duty-holders of their duties under CDM by departments whose key interests are elsewhere and who are not specifically health and safety focussed.

It is important that H&S enforcers are aware of the duties and requirements of CDM. They should work closely with other departments to impress upon them the importance of addressing health and safety issues and the long-term consequences of failing to address them at the design/building stage of a project. The Client faces additional and avoidable ongoing cost of upgrading to meet the health and safety legislative requirements as well as potential insurance claims from injured users of the premises. In cases such as this, the Client and Designer could also face prosecution by the Enforcing Authority.