S1 - E1 - The Lifeguard And The Law

Question 1

What are the essential attributes of a lifeguard?

Answer 1

Strong communicator
Team player
Strong leader
Anticipate problems
Be observant
Quick thinker
Can stay calm
Good with people
Have a positive attitude

Question 2

What is covered in the “Health and Safety at Work Act 1974”?

Answer 2

Take reasonable care of your own and other people’s health and safety
Follow received training
Co-operate with your employer on health and safety
Tell your employer if you feel the workplace or precautions are inadequate and can cause harm

Question 3

What is covered in the “Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007”?

Answer 3

Companies and Staff can be found guilty of manslaughter as a result of gross breach of a duty of care resulting in death

Question 4

What does the “Equality Act 2010” state?

Answer 4

Prevents discrimination and harassment of any kind

Question 5

What is the “Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006”?

Answer 5

Makes sure all people working with vulnerable groups (children, elderly, disabled, poor health etc) are able to care for and treat them satisfactorily

Question 6

What is the “Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999”?

Answer 6

Means employers must carry out risk assessments and provide adequate training. This means you must co-operate by using that training and say if you feel more could be done for health and safety.

Question 7

What do COSHH and REACH stand for?

Answer 7

Control 
Of 
Substance 
Hazardous to 
Health

Registration,
Evaluation,
Authorisation and restriction of
CHemicals

Question 8

What is the “Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992”?

Answer 8

Applied to lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying and means procedures must exist to show how to do this safely

Question 9

What is the “Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992”?

Answer 9

Supplied at work wherever risks cannot be controlled in other ways

Question 10

What are the meanings behind: red, blue, yellow, and green signs?

Answer 10

Red - Prohibition (no running)
Yellow - Warning (danger electricity)
Blue - Mandatory (eye protection must be worn)
Green - Fire safety or First Aid (emergency escape)

Question 11

What is an NOP?

Answer 11

Normal Operating Plan

Question 12

What is an EAP?

Answer 12

Emergency Action Plan

Question 13

Why is it important to maintain standards?

Answer 13

Otherwise, you can compromise health and safety standards

Question 14

Why is working as a team important?

Answer 14

A single lifeguard cannot perform all roles by himself. A team can help perform duties and allow you to put casualties and safety first

Question 15

Why are uniforms useful?

Answer 15

They allow staff to be easily identified in an emergency and it makes them seem professional and trustworthy

Question 16

What are the traditional lifeguard colours?

Answer 16

Yellow and red

Question 17

Why should jewellery be taken off?

Answer 17

It can cause additional hazards

Question 18

What should not be taken on poolside?

Answer 18

Personal phones and smart watches

Question 19

What is a customer care charter?

Answer 19

A written policy which explains what customers can expect from an organisation regarding customer service

Question 20

What is a customer care policy?

Answer 20

Written document telling employees how to deal with customer interactions

Question 21

What is a key performance indicator (KPI)

Answer 21

A form used by customers to tell if the standards of the facility and lifeguard where in order (measure targets towards objectives)

Question 22

What are some customer care rules?

Answer 22

Say “Thank you”
Be proactive
Be responsive
Be respectful
Be helpful
Be friendly
Be knowledgable
Explain the actions you will take
Remain calm

Question 23

Methods for obtaining customer feedback are…

Answer 23

Customer emails, forms and calls
Surveys
Focus groups
Review websites
Mystery visits

Question 24

Methods for obtaining staff feedback are…

Answer 24

One to one conversations
Staff meetings, surveys, suggestion box
Exit interviews

Question 25

Lifeguards should be seen to…

Answer 25

Safeguard lives
Anticipate and intervene
Give peace of mind
Professional
Friendly

Question 26

Lifeguards are often thought to be…

Answer 26

Whistle-blowers
Baby sitters
Prevent fun
Lazy
Day dreamers

Question 27

Lifeguards can be seen as unprofessional if they…

Answer 27

Show luck of respect
Talk unnecessarily
Use phones
Chew gum or eat
Poor body language
Being tired
Untidy

Question 28

What is useful when dealing with a complaint?

Answer 28

Listening carefully
Ask questions to get detail
Be sympathetic but not patronising
Recap the issue to them
Apologise
Explain the actions you will take
Remember to be polite

Question 29

Why is induction training important?

Answer 29

So the employee knows how to perform the required tasks

Question 30

Why is ongoing training important?

Answer 30

So that employees maintain the ability and skills required to create a safe environment

Question 31

Why are training records important?

Answer 31

To prove or disprove an employees education in a situation that requires it

Question 32

What is a risk assessment?

Answer 32

An assessment carried out by staff to outline the possible risks of an environment and therefore put appropriate operations in place

Question 33

What is the PSOP?

Answer 33

Pool Safety Operating Procedures

Question 34

What is included in an NOP?

Answer 34

Details of the pool
Potential Risk
Dealing with the Public
Lifeguard’s duties and responsibilities
Systems of work
Operational Systems
Detailed Work Instructions
First Aid Supplies
Details of Alarms

Question 35

What will be in an EAP?

Answer 35

Overcrowding
Disorderly Behaviour
Lack of water clarity
Fire outbreak
Bomb threat
Lighting failure
Structural failure
Emission of toxic gases
Serious injury
Discovery of a casualty

Question 36

What is safeguarding?

Answer 36

Working with children, vulnerable adults, young people and their families, trying to ensure their well being and minimise risk to their welfare. Where there are concerns, taking appropriate action to address concerns in accordance with agreed procedures

Question 37

What is equality and diversity and how can lifeguards promote it?

Answer 37

Equality is ensuring individuals or groups are treated fairly and equally.
Diversity is recognising, respecting and valuing people’s differences.
Lifeguards are required to be accepting of everyone and be able to adapt to accommodate different needs.

Question 38

What is PTSD?

Answer 38

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological and physical condition that is cause by frightening or distressing events. They may receive nightmares, flashbacks, have issues concentrating, feel isolated and can affect day to day life. You should be supportive of anyone who experiences this and expect someone to feel sad or anxious.

Question 39

What are admission policies and why are they in place?

Answer 39

Children are more unpredictable than adults and are often worse swimmers, therefore the number in the pool must be limited and monitored. Lifeguards must know the limits and often ensure adults look after the children they accompany.

Question 40

What is an environmental policy?

Answer 40

Something that details the company’s commitment to preserving the environment. It can detail their recycling methods, lighting arrangements, pollution/waste disposal etc

Question 41

General Laws mean lifeguards must…

Answer 41

Take reasonable care of health’s no safety of yourself and others
Contribute to arrangements and development of PSOP
Report and loss or defect of PPE
Use equipment in accordance with training
Notify management of any health issues

Question 42

General laws mean employers must…

Answer 42

Protect health and safety of employers and public at work
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to employees
Carry out risk assessment and revise it regularly
Develop and enforce PSOP
Provide and maintain safe conditions and equipment to employees