A parent was standing by the side of a swimming pool watching his child's swimming lesson. A swimming school representative said that where he was standing was not appropriate on the grounds of health and safety and asked him to move to the parent's seating area.
There is no occupational health and safety legislation that prevents a parent from standing by a swimming pool. There may be good reasons why the pool operators decide where parents and others can stand and watch pool activities such as avoiding distracting students and instructors, blocking views or access for lifeguards and the area around the pool may be wet and slippery. The pool representative should have been clear why the parent was being asked to move and not use 'health and safety' as a catch-all.