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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-012-09Clarin~~~~ //n Leading fhe Way V REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: June 15, 2009 Resolution #: PA ~~ Report #: CSD-012-09 File #: By-law #: Subject: ADMISSION STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC POOLS Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-012-09 be received for information. ~_- Submitted by: i Reviewed by. J¢ h P. Caruana ranklin Wu ~j ector of Community Services Chief Administrative Officer JPC/TL CORPORATION OF THE MUNIC Y OF CLARINGTON ONTARIO L1 C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-012-09 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 In June 2005, Council received Report CSD-11-05 (Attachment #1), which advised Council of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's notice to area municipalities regarding the release of the Coroner's Recommendations for Admission Standards for Public Pools. At that time, Admission Standards for Municipality of Clarington public pools were developed and implemented. 1.2 In an ongoing effort to ensure the safety of young children in public swimming pools the Durham Region Public Health Department is strongly recommending a change to all .Durham Region Municipalities (including Clarington) Aquatic Admission Standards. The proposed change is centred around parental/guardian supervision ratios in public pools; the change results in a decrease in the ratio of children under the age of 6 years to guardians from the current standard of 3:1 to 2:1. 1.3 The chart below outlines the current admission standard and proposed changes are underlined. Current Standard New Standard Children under the age of 8 years must be Children under the age of 6 years must be accompanied by a participating parent or accompanied by a participating parent or guardian 14 years of age or older, who is guardian 14 years of age or older, who is responsible for their direct supervision. responsible for their direct supervision Direct supervision is defined as "within (within arms reach). Maximum ratio of arms reach." Maximum ratio of children children to Guardian is 2:1. to guardian is 3:1. Children aged 66=9 years who are non- swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 14 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or Guardian must be a maximum of 4_1. Note: if any children in the group are 5 years of age and under, a ratio of 2:1 is required Children aged 6 and 7 who are able to pass the facility swim test. Parents or guardians must be actively participating in the water and supervisinG their child within the ool enclosure. Children aged 8 and 9 years who cannot Children aged 8 and 9 years who cannot pass the facility swim test must be pass the facility swim test must be accom anied b a artici atin arent or accom anied b a artici atin arent or REPORT NO.: CSD-012-09 PAGE 3 guardian 14 years of age or older, who is guardian 14 years of age or older, who is responsible for their direct supervision. responsible for their direct supervision. Maximum ratio of children to guardians is Maximum ratio of children to guardians is 4:1. 4:1. Guardians or group leaders are Guardians or group leaders are responsible for their children in their care responsible for their children in their care while in the facility and must directly while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times. Direct supervise the children at all times. Direct supervision for this purpose means "in the supervision for this purpose means "in the water." water." 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 While the proposed supervision ratio is currently not required by the Health Protection and Promotion Act, it follows a recommendation stemming from a Coroner's Inquest and is strongly support by both the Lifesaving Society and the Durham Region Health Department. It is anticipated that this change will be legislated in the next update of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. 2.2 Implementation of the recommended ratio of 2:1 for children under the age of 6 years may have a negative impact on current facility users with young children as the new standard is more restrictive on the number of children permitted per adult. To lessen the impact, slight modifications that do not compromise public safety have been made for families with 6 and 7 year olds who are able to demonstrate swimming ability by passing the facility swim test. 2.3 The new Admission Standards for Public Pools (Attachment #2) will be effective June 27, 2009. This date was chosen as it coincides with the beginning of the summer session. Prior to this date, extensive public awareness and education will take place through a number of venues, including: • newspaper advertisement • handouts to swimming lesson participants and public/family swim users • Summer Community Services Recreation & Leisure Guide • signage within facilities 2.4 All appropriate Community Services Department Staff have been advised of the new Admissions Standards, and trained on the standards and implementation strategies. 2.5 Safety continues to be a top priority within our facilities, and although it is anticipated the new Admissions Standards will have an impact on current users, the Community Services Department supports the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care and the approach that "parental supervision is of vital assistance to the lifeguard staff in ensuring safety within a pool enclosure." REPORT NO.: CSD-012-09 PAGE 4 Attachments: Attachment #1 -Report CSD-011-05 Attachment #2 -Admission Standards for Public Pools ATTACHMENT # 1 TO REPORT CSD-012-09 Clarington REPORT Leading the Way COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee Date: June 20, 2005 Resolution #: Report #: CSD-11-05 File #: By-law #: Subject: Proposed Admission Standards for Public Swimming Pools Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-11-05 be received for information. Submitted by: Joseph P. Caruana Director of Community Services JPC/BT/EM Reviewed Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1 C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-11-05 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The operation of all public pools is regulated by the Health Protection and Promotion Act (Regulation 565) and is administered locally by the Region of Durham Health Department as mandated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. 1.2 Pool incidents involving a major injury or a drowning are thoroughly investigated by the various Health Departments and/or Ministry and the results are circulated to all pool operators in an effort to create awareness to avoid similar situations from occurring locally. 1.3 Following a fatal drowning that occurred in another municipality, the Coroner conducted an inquest into the drowning. As a result of the inquest findings, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has requested the Region of Durham Health Department circulate a notice to area municipalities (Attachment #1) and the Coroner's Recommendations (Attachment #2) to all local pool operators, including our Municipality. 1.4 Primarily, the Coroner's inquest recommends that all children under the age of ten (10) must be accompanied by an attendant who will directly supervise and be responsible for the child while in the pool. In this particular case, the drowning occurred when a group of young children were unsupervised by their attendants in a supervised facility. The Coroner's investigation found that if the attendants had stayed and supervised the young children, the drowning might not have occurred. 1.5 In a response to .this event the Coroner's office, along with numerous stakeholders, developed recommended Admission Standards to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care strongly support these recommendations for the purposes of preventing injuries and fatalities. 1.6 The Admission Standards state that: • Children under 10 years of age who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. The ratio is to be 4:1 (4 bathers to one parent or guardian). If lifejackets are worn by all non-swimmers in their charge, the ratio may be increased to 8:1. • Children under 10 years who are swimmers (able to demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test) may be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied. REPORT NO.: CSD-11-05 PAGE 3 • Children under 6 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at a maximum ratio of 2:1. • Guardians or group leaders are responsible for the children in their care while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times. • Guardians or group leaders should be at least 12 years of age. 1.7 The Region of Durham, Health Department recently circulated a notice to all owners/operators and lifeguards of public pools advising us of these Admission Standards with the recommendation that all pool operators, including the Municipality, consider the standards as a tool to assist us in preventing accidents or drownings in our pools. 2.0 COMMENTS 2.1 There are several ways these new Admission Standards will impact our operations: • Currently, our minimum age requirement to be unaccompanied in the pool is 6 years of age, regardless of comfort level in the water or a stipulation that a swim test is passed. The minimum age will now move to 10 years of age and this will impact the children and parents/guardians that use our facilities for recreational swims. • Our summer camp program includes an aquatics component. Our ratios for camp staff with respect to our campers who are under 6 years of age would be impacted. Our current ratio is 3:1 and the recommended ratio is 2:1, which may have budget implications if additional staff are required. • Under the new Admission Standards, age is not the only criteria for determining if a child may be left unaccompanied. Swimming ability is also taken into consideration. An efficient swim testing method will need to be established at our facilities to comply with the Admission Standards. Frequently, our pools operate at capacity and staff will need to devise a process to assess swimmers in an efficient and timely manner. • In order to comply with the recommendations, staff will need to develop a proof-of-age process for caregivers (12 years of age and over). It should also be noted that staff have concerns regarding the ability of 12 year olds to be responsible for siblings in a pool environment. REPORT NO.: CSD-11-05 PAGE 4 2.2 It should be noted that at this point, these are only recommendations and not regulations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. As implementation of the recommendations is voluntary, a start date has not been established by either the Ministry or the Health Department. These recommendations have been brought to the attention of the pool operators in an effort to be proactive in educating the public in these recommendations. Staff is anticipating a change to the Health Regulations for Public Pools in the near future to include these Admission Standards as part of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. 2.3 Currently, the aquatics departments of neighbouring municipalities are reviewing the information and staff anticipate a program to incorporate the Admission Standards will be in place as coordinated through the Durham Region Aquatics Committee, in the fall of 2005. The Municipality of Clarington has representation on this committee. 2.4 In the interim, the Community Services Department will commence a program of staff training regarding the recommendations and provide information to our residents regarding the future implementation of the Admissions Standards recommendations. Attachments: Attachment #1 -Notice -Region of Durham, Health Department Attachment #2 -Coroner's Recommendations Attnchment #1 to Report CSD-11-05 NOTICE The Regional Municipelky o} Durham Health Department HEAD OFFICE SUITE 210 1815 DUNDAS ST. E. WHITBY ON L7N 2L7 CANADA 905-723-6521 Tor. 905-BB8-2740 1-800-841-2729 Fax:905-723-6026 www.region.durham.on.ca M Acoredhed ~, ^~~blie Realth Agenry To all Owners/Operators and Lifeguards of Public Pools A drowning occurred when a group of young children were unsupervised by their attendants in a supervised public pool facility. A coroner's investigation into the matter noted that if the attendants had stayed and supervised the young children, the drowning may not have occurred. In response to this event, the Coroner's Office, along with numerous stakeholders, developed Admission Standazds to prevent such tragedies in the future. Attached is a fact sheet on the Admission Standazds. • Please consider these standards as a tool to assist you, the pool owner, operator or lifeguard in preventing accidents or drownings in your pool. • We recommend posting of these requirements or advising the users of your pool through written handouts. Information of this nature is very valuable in preventing a mishap in your pool. • Please consider the intent of these recommendations. Parental supervision is of vital assistance to the lifeguazd staff in ensuring safety within a pool enclosure. • Owners and operators of class B Public Pools that do not require lifeguards should consider advising their users to limit the number of young or non- swimmers that a parent or his or her agent takes into the pool enclosure. Use these Admission Standards as an example. If you have any questions or, concerns please contact the Durham Region Help Line at (905) 723-8521, Ext. 2188. We are thankful you care. "service ExceiMnce forourCommunities" Mike Pittman, B.Sc., C.P.H.L(C) Senior Public Health Inspector Environmental Health Division Prepazed for the Protection of Ontario Residents by: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Caze, Public Heath Division, Infectious Diseases Branch mnnc a..r r,,,,.~~m.. Attnehment #2 to Report CSD-11-05 ~711I~5I~PE? S'~'~ARDS ~®R ~J~L~i~ p~pF S Caroner's Recommendnsion Admissior. SiW^.a: r;:: ic: Public Pools were developed by the Ofnce of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguaras and assistant lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and the cc:i~ities of young bathers while they aze inside the pool enclosure. The ibiinistr: of Health and Long Term Caze strongly supports these recommenaations for the purposes ofpreventin_ injuries and fatalities. Children under the age of 10 years who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by apazeat or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their+airect supervision. The ratio ofnon-swimmers to parent or guardian maybe a maximum of 4 bathers to one parent or guardian (4:1). The ratio ofnon-swimmers to parent or guardian maybe increased to a maximum of 8 bathers to one paazent or guardian (8:1) if lifejackets are wom by all non- swimmers in their charge • Children tinder the age of 10 who aze swimmers (able to demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test) maybe admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied. • Children under the age of 6 years may not oe admitted to the swimming pool unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for their direct supendsion, with a maximum of two children for each pazent or guardian • Guazaiaas or group leaders are responsible for the children in their care while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times. • Guardians or group leaders should be at Least 12 years of age. • Ratios of instructorsilife,~uaras to bathers must also be maintained as per Regulation 565. Class B Public Pools that do not require lifeguards still require bathers under twelve years of age to be accompanied by a parent or his or firer agent who is not less than sixteen ;.ears of age. Cl~l"111~0~1 Leading the Way ATTACHMENT # 2 TO REPORT CSD-012-09 `!~~Admission Standards for Public Pools E~ective June 27, 2009 Admission standards for Public Pools were developed by the office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards and assistant lifeguards in maint~ning adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and the activates of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and tong-Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purposes of preventing. injuries and fatalities. t. Children agg~ 6_g y~ ~,vhp are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least I a years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be a maximum of 4i1. ruote: f any children in the group are s years of age and under, a ratio of 2:I is n>quired. see bullet 2 for more information. A. Children aged 6 & ~ who are able to pass the facility swim test each time will receive a wrist band. Parent or guardians must. be actively participating in the. water and supervising their child within the pool enclosure. B. Children aged 8 & 9 years who are able to pass the facility swim test may be admitted to the swimming pool unacconppanied. Awrist band ~ facility swim test card will be issued. 2. Children under thevears may not be admitted to the swimming poo unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for their direct supervision (within arms reach), with a maximum of two children for each parent or guardian. 3. Guardians or~uo ad rs are responsible for the children in their care while in lthe facility and must directly supervise (in the wategl the children at all times. SWIM TEST CRITERIA ~ submerge entire head. under water in any comfortable way, including face, ears and back of head. • to a relaxed manner, swim cohtinuously two widths of the pool. on front using any form of propulsion (arms/legs combination). + Maintain near horizonatal body position. • Swim in-one direction, tum and then swim in the opposite direction.