Recurring concern
Inadequate controls for drowning risks in swimming pools
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Request correctionFirst reported 23 May 2014•Latest report 18 Sep 2024
What this concern includes
Includes controls specifically dedicated to preventing, detecting or responding to drowning risks in swimming pools, including lifeguard or poolside supervision, CCTV coverage and monitoring, staff training and response guidance, patrols, rescue equipment and related pool-safety arrangements.
Not included
- Excludes general pool maintenance, water quality, signage or operational deficiencies where drowning prevention, detection or response is not the shared unsafe condition.
- Excludes generic staff training, staffing or communication deficiencies unless they directly impair a dedicated swimming-pool drowning control.
- Excludes drowning risks in open water, beaches, watercraft, baths or other non-swimming-pool settings unless the assertion explicitly concerns the same swimming-pool control system.
- Excludes failures occurring after a person has been safely detected and rescued, including subsequent medical treatment or investigation.
- Reports
- 8
- Individual concerns
- 19
- Date range
- 2014–2024
- Stated actions
- 8
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide lifeguarding services in the pool except when large inflatables were permitted
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Review the swimming pool risk assessments in light of the inquest evidence and applicable HSG 179 guidance.
Stated by Atlantic Reach Limited -
Action
Reconsider lifeguard provision during annual risk assessment reviews and when significant changes or other events indicate that review is required.
Stated by Atlantic Reach Limited
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Existing alternative control measures are considered sufficient because HSG 179 permits them where lifeguarding is not reasonably practicable.
Stated by Atlantic Reach Limited
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Position
Providing lifeguard supervision is considered not reasonably practicable because qualified staff shortages, recruitment disruption, supervision risks and substantial costs constrain delivery.
Stated by Atlantic Reach Limited
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Concerns raised2
Failure to train and guide reception staff in CCTV monitoring
Failure to prevent first aid certificate lapses through a failsafe renewal system
This report raised 9 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised4
CCTV failing to provide visibility of the pool underwater and in blind spots
Failure to ensure pool-cleaning partners can undertake an emergency water rescue
Lack of staff training in the use of pool lifesaving aids
Failure to teach the lifesaving techniques required by pool procedures
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
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Action
Reposition Maida Vale pool CCTV cameras and add cameras to remove the identified blind spot.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness Limited -
Action
Upskill designated first aiders to obtain pool responder qualifications.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness Limited -
Action
Require documented Workplace Induction Checklists covering emergency and lifesaving equipment locations and use.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness Limited
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Action
Ensure all existing employees complete the documented Workplace Induction Checklist.
Stated by Bannatyne Fitness Limited
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Concerns raised3
Unavailability of a motion early warning system for poolside surveillance
Failure to change lifeguard positions at planned intervals
Insufficient poolside lifeguard staffing
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain working CCTV for checking the pool area
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised3
Failure to maintain constant pool monitoring while reception staff perform other tasks
Insufficient frequency of poolside patrols when families use the pool
Insufficient poolside equipment for rescuing a submerged child
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Provide constant poolside supervision through trained patrol and reception CCTV monitoring whenever the pool is open.
Stated by Dalmeny Resort Hotel -
Action
Carry out documented opening and closing pool-hall safety inspections covering rescue equipment, water clarity, lighting, signage and staff communications.
Stated by Dalmeny Resort Hotel
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Constant supervision will cease after reducing pool depth because none of the other HSG79 criteria applies.
Stated by Dalmeny Resort Hotel
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Concerns raised3
Lack of best-practice requirements for first-aid-trained swimming-pool lifeguards
Lack of best-practice requirements for resuscitation equipment at swimming pools
Lack of best-practice requirements for rescue equipment at swimming pools
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Failure to ensure trained aquatic rescue staff are present when the pool is open
Failure to obtain swimming pool expert advice on controls for unsupervised pool use
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The swimming pool is closed, so no one else will be exposed to a similar risk at that facility.
Stated by Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Data last updated 7 September 2026