Edition 02/2001
This
edition of the IEA Sport Monthly Update is taken from an article written by Tom
Griffiths and featuring in the December edition of the U.S.A.
publication © 2000 Athletic Business Magazine, excerpted with permission.
The
Ten Commandments of Aquatic Risk Management
It's
mainly common sense, but aquatic risk management must be structured,
organised and documented to avoid liability.
When
managing an aquatic facility, there are so many potential hazards that
the vital task of risk management can seem burdensome and
overwhelming. A quick view of accidents and subsequent lawsuits,
however, reveals that the vast majority of catastrophic accidents are
the result of a very small number of common and recurring lapses -
most often inadequate warnings or supervision.
While
the following list of "commandments" does not cover all the
areas where accidents are possible and is certainly not a complete
guide to risk management, it serves as quick summation of the most
life-threatening types of flaws that persist in many aquatic
facilities. When initiating a risk management plan for your
facility, check these areas first, and remind your employees of each
areas significance.
I.
Thou Shalt Supervise Your Lifeguards Often.
Often
lifeguards are very young.
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Maturity and responsibility are not
inherent traits, and these learned skills take time to develop.
For this reason lifeguards must be supervised regularly and often -
regardless of their education, training, maturity, experience and
age.
While vigilant lifeguards are the key to running a safe
aquatic facility, supervision of lifeguards is the only way to ensure
vigilance.
II.
Thou Shalt Not Operate Without A Certified Aquatic Facility Operator
(AFO) Or Certified Pool Operator (CPO).
(Editors
note: these are U.S.A. certifications.)
Ronald
Gilbert, a retired attorney specialising in water safety legislation,
has adamantly stated that the missing link in all successful trials
was the defendant's lack of a certified AFO/CPO on duty at the time of
an accident.
Certainly,
there is far more to the field of risk management than either of these
certification programs can touch on in a limited amount of time.
But a certified manager or operator does receive two full days of
comprehensive instruction; he or she also establishes networks and
allies, and becomes at least familiar with resources and references in
which more detailed information is available. In addition, an
AFO/CPO is more adapt at handling the public relations and information
side of a crisis.
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