H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
Pond Guidance
Pond dipping is a very enjoyable
activity with high educational
benefits. It is a fairly low risk
activity, but it does carry a
number of potential risks.
Schools have a duty of care
towards their staff, pupils and
others who may be on their
premises. A school is required
to carry out a risk assessment
and implement reasonable
practicable measures to ensure
an acceptable level of safety.
Carry out a risk assessment
There is a generic check list
available for this activity on
Schools on Line. The check
list is aimed to help identified
hazards associated with your
schools pond. Every pond will
be different, therefore overall
guidance cannot be given, and
this is why individual site-based
risk assessment is required.
Operating policy
Create a normal operating
policy which details how the
pond is operated, the measures
which have or have not been
implemented and the reasoning
behind any decision.
Emergency Action Plan
The emergency action plan
should consider the following:
• How to rescue a person that has fallen in
• Resuscitation and first aid
• How to call for assistance
• What to do with other pupils during an emergency situation.
Controlled Access
Access to the pond must
be controlled and the pond
effectively closed while not in
use. This can be with fencing or
vegetative barriers. Trees and
shrubs close to the line of sight
must not be allowed to obscure
the view.
Ponds in primary schools must
be fenced to prevent inadvertent
approach. For all other schools
with ponds the need for fencing
should be determined as part of
the risk assessment process.
Fencing
If fencing has slats, those slats
must be vertical not horizontal
(to prevent climbing) with no gap
large enough to pass through
or get head stuck. Building
regulations for barrier gaps is a
gap of 100mm or less. The fence
must be a minimum of 1.1 metre
in height but can be higher
depending on the risk.
For smaller ponds a steal ridged
weld mesh over a wooden frame,
the steel mesh apertures should
be 25mm x 25mm.
H E A LT H
&
S A F E T Y
Pond Guidance
Gates
Signage
A lockable gate must be provided
to deter unsupervised entry.
This gate should be of the same
construction as the fencing.
Clear signage should be used at
the access points to the pond.
For example a sign stating ‘No
unaccompanied children’ or if ice
forms during the winter ‘Danger:
Thin Ice’.
THE GATE MUST BE LOCKED
WHEN NOT IN USE.
Edges
Edges that are open for access
for pond dipping should be
gently sloping, or flat and well
defined. Where access is not
required, or where the edge is
steep, a protective barrier either
in the form of marginal aquatic
vegetation or fencing may be
required.
Depth
The Maximum depth of pond:
•
Infants 60cm
•
Junior 75cm
•
Secondary 100cm
The deepest point of the pond
should be away from the dipping
area. Ponds which are too
deep for an adult to perform a
wading rescue, suitable rescue
equipment such as a reach
pole or a throw line should be
provided.
Maintenance
The pond fencing and pond area
should be regularly maintained
to prevent unsupervised entry
and slips, trips and falls.
If a scum has formed on the
surface, this should be removed,
avoiding skin contact.
Supervision
Please ensure you have a ratio of
at least one to eight by the pond.
The level of supervision should
be identified through the risk
assessment identifying students
and the potential risk. Young
children (age 2-3) are at a higher
risk than older children, the risk
decreases with age. Children at
an age of 4-5 start to understand
the concept of danger and begin
to heed warnings of danger.
Behaviour by the pond
All children should be made
aware of the deep water and
asked not to run or be silly near
the edge. Pond dipping should
N E W S L E T T E R
For Schools
SPRING 2015
continued
only be carried out by children
kneeling on both knees or lying
flat on their stomachs.
Hygiene
Weil’s disease is a water borne
disease; to prevent infection
all open cuts and grazes should
be covered with a waterproof
plaster or PVC gloves as required.
To prevent infections children
should be reminded not to put
their fingers in theirs mouth,
nose or eyes and should wash
their hands afterwards.
Clothing
Children and adults should
wear appropriate footwear and
clothing for the activity.
Further Information
Pond dipping and Weils disease
CLEAPSS Guidance:
http://www.cleapss.org.uk/
attachments/article/0/PS01.
pdf?Primary/Resources/
Guidance Leaflets/
RoSPA Pond Dipping advice:
http://www.rospa.
com/leisuresafety/
adviceandinformation/
watersafety/pond-dipping.aspx