Qualified in accountancy....

 .... experienced in leisure

Accounting & General....

                    ....ADVICE 4 BUSINESS

Accounting & General- Accountants Devon, Accountancy Devon, Devon, Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset|© 2011

The owners of the Rainbow International Hotel Torquay have been fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs of £21,000 following a death at its swimming pool in 2008.

At a hearing at Exeter Crown Court management admitted responsibility for not undertaking a proper risk assessment of the pool, and presiding judge Mr Justice Field said that ‘the defendant did not appoint a competent person to assist in health and safety questions, and had not at any time maintained any documentation relating to health and safety assessment in respect of hotel activities.’

Businessman Mr Suresh Nanduri, who could not swim, died after slipping down the pools gradient, into the deep end. The depth of the water went from 1m in the shallow end to 2.5m, with a gradient length of 3m.

The pool was unsupervised and the CCTV monitor was poor. There were no written emergency procedures.

The Hotel pleaded guilty to breaching section three of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, in that it failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practical, that persons not in their employment were not exposed to risks to their health and safety whilst swimming in the pool.

The pool gradient has since been reduced and a health and safety consultant appointed to advise on risk assessment.  

Definitive health and safety guidance on the operation of swimming pools can be found in Health & Safety Executive guidance HSG179. To view a full copy click here.

For a basic health and safety guide for small businesses, click here.

Link to the website of the Rainbow International Hotel.

Link to main News page click here.

Link  to a viewpoint article on leisure strategy for 2011.

Rainbow Hotel Torquay Fined for Swimming Pool Death