The design and safety of swimming pool covers

Abstract

Drowning is the third commonest cause of accidental death of children in the UK and many children drown in domestic swimming pools. Concern has been raised about the design and safety of the covers used on domestic swimming pools since the majority of drowning and near-drowning incidents occur in pools with covers on. Swimming pool covers are a diverse range of products and fulfil a number of functions. This diversity in their design and the associated hazards necessitated a multidisciplinary approach to their evaluation. A study of the epidemiology of drownings was carried out in order to specify the risks of swimming pool covers, together with a study of the market and a survey of pool owners and their attitudes to safety. The risks of swimming pool covers were then evaluated by engineering, materials and ergonomics testing which included simulation of both the user and the products. This study is an example of the need for a mix of test methods and types of simulations in order to provide an overall statement of the safety of some consumer products. Results showed that the floating, heat retaining covers used on the majority of UK domestic pools possibly add to the intrinsic risks of a swimming pool. Winter debris covers, although appearing to seal the pool and considered by the majority of owners to make pools safer, were shown to allow children relatively easy access under the cover.

Key words:

• swimming pool covers
• childhood drowning

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Beverley Norris

?Correspondence address: Inst. Occupational Ergonomics, Dept. Manuf. Engin. & Operations Mgmt. Univ. Nottingham, University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK Tel. [phone]/514004 Fax [phone]

John R. Wilson

?Correspondence address: Inst. Occupational Ergonomics, Dept. Manuf. Engin. & Operations Mgmt. Univ. Nottingham, University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD UK Tel. [phone]/514004 Fax [phone]