Poolsafe Assessors

Action taken by staff

On being alerted to children suffering eye irritation and breathing difficulties the slide water was tested and found to have high FACs. Slides were then closed. First aid was administered by staff to those children affected. In one case oxygen was given. Ambulance was called and the manager instructed staff to take the affected children outside into fresh air. Fire services and paramedics arrived and took over from staff. Fire evacuated the building to check chlorine levels. Staff remained with ambulance staff and the casualties. Other staff members were tasked with water testing at regular intervals to ensure levels were stable.

Changes made to operating procedures as a result of incident

A full investigation was carried out using industry experts and a comprehensive report with recommendations was produced. The following are now being implemented:

Plant and Equipment

•Speed drive installed on the black slide, this will allow the water speed to be slowed down and in turn minimiseaeration around and in the slide area •New PH probe purchased that can obtain a level above 8.2ppm. •CO2 supply was found to be unreliable as the tank kept freezing over, stopping CO2 from being dosed into the water. A heater system is also being installed on the tank to prevent freezing over, which will enable even flow and prevent a spike in PH. •Review of current dosing systems. •More fresh air supplied to the slide tower through grills and an extractor fan installed three quarters of the way up the tower to help with air movement in the slides and the tower area. A sensor has also been installed which sensors “dirty air”. There is no sensor that measures chloramines in the air.

Procedures and Policies

•Emergency response procedure created for Chloramine build up in the slides •Changed slide rules to one person in the black slide at a time, only exception is with an under 5, 5-7 years must have adult at the bottom as per the Under 8 policy. This is controlled with a stop/go light as well as the usual stationed lifeguard at the top of the slides. •Water is being tested every 2 hours directly from the slides, and the slides are turned on one hour before opening to allow for air changes in the slide area to happen •Comprehensive training to all staff around new procedures, rules etc. •3’s Campaign launched – Shower/Toilet, Swim, Snack. Encouraging people to shower and go toilet then swim then eat at the end of their session. The aim is to cut down on contaminants and faecal/vomit incidents.

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