SV25 - Supervision of Interactive Water Play Areas
| Issue Date | Effective Date | Version |
|---|---|---|
| 20/01/2018 | 01/09/2019 | 1.0 |
Purpose
To provide guidance for the supervision of interactive play areas at an aquatic facility.
Description
Interactive water play equipment is essentially a children's playground with a water environment. Such environment often increase the risk of injury in an aquatic facility and thus may require additional risk mitigation and/or supervision to sufficiently prevent and manage injuries.
Maintenance
The equipment should be inspected daily prior to use to identify faults which present a potential hazard to anyone using this equipment. Any identified hazards should be isolated.
Identified hazards should be isolated and reported for repair using normal operating procedures.
Structural recommendations stating the maximum number of people on the equipment at any one time should be adhered to.
Rules
A schedule of rules governing the use of the equipment should be established and monitored.
Rules may include, but are not limited to:
- Maximum number of people
- Height restrictions
- Age ranges permitted
- No running on the equipment
- Parental supervision (refer to Guideline Supervision of Children)
- Aquatic ability of people using equipment
Isolation of Equipment
Isolation of any component or apparatus within the equipment may be necessary for a number of reasons including safety, maintenance and crowd control.
Isolation should be effective, safe and appropriately signed.
Water pressure changes resulting in high pressure jets of water or water spraying onto the pool concourse or ceiling should be monitored and any necessary corrective action initiated.
Swinging apparatus should be supervised to limit the number of users.
Appropriate signage should advise people of equipment available, its use, and the possible dangers involved, in particular those with ad hoc operation and without prior warnings.
References
- Aquatic Facility Management, Fawcett P. 2005. Human Kinetics, Champaign.
- Lifeguarding, 3rd Edition 2001, The Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Mosby, Sydney
- Swimming Pool Supervision Guidelines and Recommended Standard, 1996, Hillary Commission, Wellington
- The Use of Play Equipment & Water Features in Swimming Pools, 1994, ISRM, Melton Mowbray
Previous Versions
- Guideline SU16 Supervision of Interactive Water Play Equipment, Issue 1, July 1996
