Company Fined After Child Nearly Drowned During Holiday Camp Swimming Session

Brief Summary

Oxford Active Ltd was fined after a three year old girl nearly drowned during a free play swimming session at a holiday camp. The case highlights how weak safety documentation, poor communication to staff, and inadequate control of swim activities can lead to life threatening incidents, even where children are given flotation aids.

What Was The Incident?

On 26 July 2023, during a holiday camp at Bishopsgate School in Egham, Surrey, a three year old girl taking part in a free play swimming session was found unconscious in the pool. She was face down underneath a large float and not breathing. Staff intervened and were able to resuscitate her.

What Was The Outcome?

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Oxford Active Ltd was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £12,000 in costs.

What Lessons Can Be Learnt?

Make pool safety documentation specific and clear. Safety documentation relating to pool safety and supervision was found to be insufficiently detailed and lacked clarity, which undermined effective control of the session.

Communicate pool controls effectively to staff. HSE found the documentation content was not communicated effectively to staff, meaning key control measures were not properly understood or implemented during the free play session.

Control free play activities, not just equipment. The child became trapped beneath a large float during free play, and when she was found she was no longer wearing armbands or using the noodle, showing the need for robust rules and supervision for how floats are used and monitored.

Ensure supervision arrangements fit the risk for young children. The session involved 19 children aged between three and five, most of whom were non swimmers. Supervision arrangements needed to be suitable for this age and ability profile to identify and respond to incidents immediately.

Have emergency readiness built into the management of sessions. HSE emphasised effective emergency procedures so incidents can be identified and responded to immediately, which is critical in pool settings where conditions can change quickly.

HSE Prosecution Link