HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
Mini Mermaids have a moral and legal obligation to ensure all participations involved in Mini Mermaid activities are doing so in a safe and controlled environment. Mini Mermaids are committed to ensuring that safe practices are implemented at all times during the tutoring and instructing of all MermaidsUK courses, providing a safe learning environment for all involved. MermaidsUK complies with statute law; The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Safety at Work Regulations 1999 by recognising the safe operations of MermaidsUK activities and personnel within. Rules and Regulations are continuously revised to maintain the health, safety and welfare of all those involved. All tutors and instructors are to be regularly informed on health and safety updates, ensuring they accept their responsibilities to maintain standards of safety at all times.
Tutors/Instructors Roles and Responsibilities
MermaidsUK tutors and instructors have a duty of care under common law and are responsible for the welfare of all participants during all scheduled Mini Mermaid activities and can be liable for any negligence thus caused. This is achieved through MermaidsUK Instructors being made fully aware of all the potential risks and learning about the legal Health and Safety of MermaidsUK activities during any course training. In preparation of attending a MermaidsUK Instructor training course, the individual must meet all the pre-requisites. Once qualified, instructors will be fully responsible for ensuring these qualifications are up to date, their MermaidsUK membership is paid as well as holding the relevant insurance, failure to do so will invalidate their qualification. On the job responsibilities are to ensure the appropriate safety notices are visible when instructing and that they give continuous verbal instructions to maintain safety and minimise the risks involved.
Systems of Work
Any person planning on carrying out Mini Mermaids activities must be a qualified MermaidsUK instructor. During any MermaidsUK course, the ratio of instructors to participant must not be compromised under any circumstance; meeting the 1:6 ratio of one MermaidsUK Instructor to no more than six participants with no more than the maximum of two instructors to 12 participants. The first instructor must not wear a tail however with the 2:12 ratio the second instructor may be in a tail.
Before any person undertakes the physical aspects of Mermaid Swimming, the participant must pass the MermaidsUK Swim Test and meet the minimum age requirement. Failure to do so will result in the participant being removed from the course.
Shallow Water Blackout
Shallow Water Blackout refers to the result of a severe lack of oxygen to the brain, this can occur in many situations but is the result of breath holding while swimming. Lack of oxygen when practicing breath holding can lead to a swimmer passing out, after which drowning can quickly follow if not noticed.
Risk Assessments
Before running any Mini Mermaid sessions, all MermaidsUK Instructors must complete a risk assessment on the pool surroundings, followed by a visual risk assessment before the start of every session. Care and vigilance must be taken with regards to the mermaid tails and fins used during
| Hazard | Risk
(H/M/L) |
Who might be harmed and how | Control Measures |
| Broken fins | Low | The children may cut themselves on the plastic if it is broken. | Ensure all fins are thoroughly checked before parties to ensure no one gets harmed |
| Deep water | High | Children may drown in the deep water. | Ensure that they pass the swim test before allowing them into the water to swim with a fin on. |
| Fast wave machine | Medium | Children may cut or bang themselves on the machine. | To ensure this doesn’t happen, inform the children that it is there and when teaching keep them away from it. |
| Broken tails | Low | Children could get stuck in the tails if they are broken and this may cause difficulty in the water. | Check all tails before children get in the water to ensure that they are acceptable to be in the water. |
| Shallow water Black out
|
Low | All participants within mermaid swimming attempting breath holding activities. | * No swimmer is to be left alone when attempting breath holding or distance swims
* No breath holding activity will follow strenuous exercise * All breathing must return to a relaxed state before attempting breath holding activities
|
| Binding of the legs and restricted movement in water | Low | Participants and instructors whilst wearing a mermaid tail and fin will not be able to move their legs and feet in natural independent movements, i.e, walking or kicking, reducing their sense of balance
|
* Every participant must complete and pass the MermaidsUK swim test * Users of the mermaid tail will practice and perfect the correct undulating movement as a ‘human’ before wearing the mono fin and tail
* Quick release from the mono fin is taught to all students before swimming in the mono fin
|
| Binding of the legs and restricted movement on land. | Low | Participants and instructors whilst wearing a mermaid tail and mono fin will not be stable whist on poolside.
|
* MermaidsUK instructors will be taught to ensure all safety rules are met
* Safety talks given to all participants before being handed their tail and fin * Users of the mermaid tail must not attempt to stand or jump in the tail whilst on poolside
|
Pool Safety Operating Procedures
All MermaidsUK Instructors must also be aware of the Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP) which includes a Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) and an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for the pool in which they are working. All MermaidsUK Instructors must know what to do in any of these situations in accordance with RIDDOR and COSHH should they so require.
Manual handling
MermaidsUK instructors should be aware of the correct procedures when carrying and lifting heavy equipment. Whilst an individual mermaid tail and fin is approximately two kilograms in weight when dry, several tails and fins can become quite heavy after use. Instructors should be aware of the guidelines set out in The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 to reduce the risk of injury during any manual handling activities that cannot be avoided.
Participants Roles and Responsibilities
Participants wishing to be involved in Mini Mermaids activities will have a level of responsibility with regards to their own safety. When enrolling onto a Mini Mermaids experience or swim session, all participants must read the disclaimer on the enrolment form and sign to show they have read and understood the safety elements involved. Whilst taking part in Mini Mermaids activities, the participant will be responsible for respecting the MermaidsUK instructor, acknowledging and completing the safety rules given to them by the instructor and taking note of the safety rules displayed on poolside.
UK Mermaids Ltd trading as MermaidsUK
Registered in England, Company No.9537039 Registered address: 36 Fairacre Avenue, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 9DF info@mermaidsswimuk.co.uk www.mermaidsswimuk.co.uk