Why now is the perfect time to review your swimming pool safety measures…
As the New Year begins, many leisure operators take the opportunity to reset, refocus, and plan for the year ahead. It’s also the ideal moment to review your swimming pool safety measures - particularly your supervision arrangements. Whether you operate a fully staffed pool, a blended‑supervision environment, or an unstaffed facility, revisiting your risk assessments and operational procedures ensures you’re aligned with current best practice and ready for the year ahead.
Start with the fundamentals: key guidance to review
The UK has a strong framework of standards and guidance designed to support safe pool operation. As you refresh your procedures, these documents are essential reference points:
HSG179 – Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools
The Health and Safety Executive’s HSG179 remains the cornerstone of UK pool safety. It outlines expectations around supervision, risk assessment, emergency planning, and safe systems of work.
🔗 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg179.htm
BS EN 15288 – Swimming Pool Safety Standards
BS EN 15288 (often referred to as BS15288) provides detailed guidance on the design, operation, and management of swimming pools. Part 2 is particularly relevant for operators, covering operational safety requirements, supervision strategies, and the responsibilities of pool management.
🔗 https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/swimming-pools-safety-requirements-for-operation
RLSS Guidance on Automated Pool Supervision
With the growth of technology‑supported supervision, the RLSS has produced guidance to help operators understand how automated monitoring systems can support lifeguards, enhance detection, and strengthen overall safety.
🔗 https://www.ukactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Swimming-Pool-Supervision-Technology-Guidance-Jan-25-FINAL.pdf
Unstaffed Pool Guidance
For facilities operating without on‑site staff, the sector’s unstaffed pool guidance is essential. It sets out expectations around risk assessment, user access, emergency arrangements, and the role of technology in maintaining safe operation.
🔗 https://www.rlss.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=4583da54-b81e-4cd2-b4f8-c7e478a7a309
Your Lifeguard Qualification Manual
Whether you follow RLSS, STA, or another awarding body, your lifeguard qualification manual remains a vital resource. It outlines the competencies, scanning techniques, and emergency response expectations that underpin effective supervision.
Why the New Year matters
January is a natural point for reflection and improvement. Visitor patterns shift, new staff join, and operational plans evolve. Reviewing your supervision arrangements now helps you:
Ensure your risk assessments remain current
Confirm your supervision model still matches your pool’s usage
Identify opportunities to strengthen detection and response
Refresh staff training and reinforce best practice
Integrate new technologies or update existing systems
A proactive review now can prevent reactive challenges later.
How Poolview can help
At Poolview, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our team is deeply embedded in the swimming pool sector, with decades of combined experience across operations, lifeguarding, training, and safety technology. We work closely with operators across the UK, giving us a clear understanding of the real‑world challenges and the guidance that shapes safe pool supervision.
As the industry continues to evolve, we remain committed to sharing knowledge, supporting good practice, and helping operators feel confident in the decisions they make around supervision and technology. Our expertise in automated monitoring, operational best practice, and UK safety standards means we’re well placed to offer clarity when you need it.
And importantly, we’re always at the end of the phone. If you ever want friendly, informed advice about supervision considerations or how technology fits into your environment, feel free to get in touch. Sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes to move forward with confidence
