Publications on leisure activities

The HSE publication HSG179 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools' intends to help pool operators comply with health and safety law. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.

This guidance applies to pools used by the public for water-related activities, as defined in BS EN 15288–2, as Type 1, 2 or 3. The guidance may also apply in other non-conventional settings, such as to holiday lets in residential complexes. It has limited application to pools which consist of segregated areas of rivers, lakes or the sea.

However, it does not apply to swimming in open water (eg a lake or pond), which is not maintained as a swimming facility. The guidance may also apply to paddling pools, depending on the particular circumstances.

See the swimming pool FAQs for further information.

A review of HS(G)179  by HSE in collaboration with key stakeholders is currently planned.

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