FAQs for RLSS UK Consultancy Services Find out more about RLSS UK Consultancy Services Request a call Skip to a specific frequently answered question section: General Consultancy Service FAQs Swimming Pool Safety Services FAQs General Questions Pool Safety Audits Pool Design Reviews Pool Safety Documentation Mystery Visits Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests (LZVTs) Staff Training and Qualifications Open Water Safety Services Open Water Venue Operators and Landowners General Consultancy Service FAQs How much do RLSS UK consultancy services cost? The cost of RLSS UK consultancy services varies depending on the specific services required, site complexity, and other factors. Following our initial discussion of your requirements, we provide detailed quotations. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. How long does the consultancy process typically take? Timeframes for RLSS UK consultancy services vary depending on the scope of work. A basic site assessment might be completed in a day, while comprehensive safety documentation creation could take several weeks. Timeframes are established and communicated early in the consultation process. Do you provide ongoing support after completing consultancy work? We're always happy to help with questions or additional support following RLSS UK consultancy work. Many clients maintain an ongoing relationship with regular safety reviews and updates. Can you help us respond to concerns raised by Environmental Health Officers (EHO)? Absolutely. RLSS UK frequently advises on responding to Environmental Health Officers' (EHO’s) concerns and can help develop action plans to address any issues identified during inspections. Do you provide consultancy services nationwide? Yes, RLSS UK consultants operate throughout the UK and Ireland. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 to discuss your consultancy needs. How do I book an RLSS UK consultation? To book a time to discuss how RLSS UK can help you, request a call via our website here, email us at [email protected], or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. How does RLSS UK stay current with industry standards and regulations? RLSS UK sits on many industry panels to evolve and develop national safety standards. We're often consulted by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and safety experts regarding swimming pools and open water incidents, and we create industry guidance documents to help swimming pool operators understand and implement safety standards. Visit the RLSS UK industry guidance area Swimming Pool Safety Services FAQs General FAQs What swimming pool safety services does RLSS UK offer? RLSS UK offers a comprehensive range of swimming pool safety services, including Pool Safety Audits, Safe Swimming Pool Design Reviews, Pool Safety Document Review or Creation, Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests (LZVTs), Mystery Visits, and technology support through Assisted Lifeguard Technology. Learn more about our Swimming Pool Safety Services Why should I choose RLSS UK for swimming pool safety advice? RLSS UK is the industry expert in water-related safety and the leader in lifeguarding and lifesaving qualifications and industry guidance for the UK and Ireland. With over 130 years of experience since 1891, we provide expert consultancy services, industry-leading qualifications, and support to over 3,000 nationwide public and private swimming pools. As a national charity, 100% of profits go toward educating people to enjoy water safely. Who are your RLSS UK consultants? Our RLSS UK consultants are highly regarded experts whose knowledge and experience extend to lifeguarding, pool plant operations, and swimming pool health and safety. They provide impartial, expert advice tailored to your specific needs. How does the RLSS UK consultancy process work? Our Consultancy process involves: A free, no-obligation online meeting to discuss your requirements Preparation of a detailed proposal and quotation A site visit by an RLSS UK Consultant Documentation drafting (reports, risk assessments, etc.) Review of draft documents Final document delivery Ongoing support as needed Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. Do you offer consultancy services to both public and private swimming pool operators? Yes, we support thousands of swimming pool operators nationwide, including public leisure centres, private facilities, hotels, schools, and residential developments. Our services are tailored to suit facilities of all sizes and types. Do I need to provide lifeguards for my swimming pool? The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance states, ‘Constant poolside supervision (watching the water) by lifeguards provides the best assurance of pool users’ safety. Where the site-specific risk assessment has shown that constant poolside supervision is not reasonably practicable, robust alternative measures must be implemented to ensure the safety of pool users. To summarise, your site-specific risk assessment will inform you if lifeguards are needed. Remember that those conducting risk assessments should be deemed competent to do so, which includes having the necessary skills, knowledge, attitude, technical proficiency, and experience. If you’re unsure if you need lifeguards or pool responders, contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096. Learn more about our Swimming Pool Safety Services Pool Safety FAQs What is a Pool Safety Audit? Affectionally referred to as our Swimming Pool MOT service, a Pool Safety Audit assesses your pool's current safety standards against best practices, industry guidance, and UK health and safety legislation, identifying areas for improvement to enhance overall safety. What does a Pool Safety Audit include? A Pool Safety Audit can include reviews of proactive health and safety management, risk control measures, Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP), supervision arrangements, policies, training programs, and safety equipment. How often should I have a Pool Safety Audit? At RLSS UK, we recommend annual audits to ensure ongoing compliance with regulations and best practices. The frequency may depend on your specific facility's needs and any significant changes to operations. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. Learn more about our Pool Safety Audits Pool Design Reviews When should I consider a Safe Swimming Pool Design Review? To ensure safety is integrated from the outset, you should consider a design review during the planning stages of a new swimming pool project or when undertaking significant renovations to an existing pool. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. What aspects of pool design do you review? RLSS UK Consultancy experts will review layout, safety feature placement, access control solutions, signage, alarm systems, and other critical safety elements to help create a pool that prioritises safety while maintaining functionality and appeal. Learn more about our PSOP Services Pool Safety Documentation What are Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOPs)? Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOPs) encompass all essential safety information critical for a pool's safe and efficient operation on a day-to-day basis and in emergencies. These include Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) and Emergency Action Plans (EAP). Learn more about our PSOP Services. Can RLSS UK help create or review our risk assessments? Yes, our experienced RLSS UK consultancy team can review your current pool risk assessments, recommend improvements, or create new risk assessments to ensure they are suitable and sufficient with reasonably practicable control measures. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. Learn more about our Pool Safety Documentation Mystery Visits What are RLSS UK Mystery Visits? Our Mystery Visit service provides an unbiased and comprehensive evaluation of your swimming pool operations. Our trained assessors visit your facility anonymously as typical customers to evaluate safety practices, staff knowledge, and compliance with industry standards. Are Mystery Visits completely anonymous? RLSS UK Mystery Visits can be conducted in different ways to suit your needs: completely anonymous, partly anonymous (then announced for further checks), or fully announced. Each approach offers different insights into your facility's operations. What exactly do RLSS UK Mystery Visit assessors look for? Our RLSS UK assessors focus primarily on compliant lifeguarding practices and staff knowledge—essential components for safe pool operation. They evaluate vigilance, positioning, scanning techniques, adherence to procedures, response to situations, and interactions with pool users. However, bespoke options are available, and there are multiple bolt-on services. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. How can Mystery Visits benefit multi-site operators? For operators with multiple facilities, our mystery visits service enables benchmarking across various locations. This comparison can highlight best practices and areas needing attention, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within your organisation. How often should we schedule Mystery Visits? Regular mystery visits allow you to track improvements in your operations over time. Many operators find quarterly visits beneficial, but the frequency can be adjusted based on your specific needs, previous results, and any operational changes. How do Mystery Visits complement other safety services? Mystery Visits work well alongside more formal assessments like Pool Safety Audits and Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests. While these services ensure your procedures and setup are correct, Mystery Visits verify that day-to-day implementation meets the required standards. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. Learn more about our Mystery Visits Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests (LZVTs) What is a Lifeguard Zone Visibility Test (LZVT)? A Lifeguard Zone Visibility Test (LZVT) helps you comply with industry guidance by confirming that your lifeguard numbers are correct, positions are optimal, and they have 100% visibility of the pool water, including the full volume of the pool. Learn more about conducting an LZVT Why is doing a Lifeguard Zone Visibility Test (LZVT) important? Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests (LZVTs) are crucial for ensuring effective pool supervision and meeting your duty of care obligations. They help establish proper lifeguard positioning and numbers to maintain optimal safety standards. How long does a Lifeguard Zone Visibility Test (LZVT) take? The time it takes to complete an LZVT can vary from site to site. For a standard 25m pool, it can take a couple of hours; for more complex leisure facilities, it might take a whole day. Learn more about our LZVTs Staff Training and Qualifications Can RLSS UK help determine what qualifications our staff need? Yes, we can help review and recommend the most appropriate training and qualifications for your staff based on your pool's specific requirements and risk assessments. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. View all RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards What qualifications does RLSS UK offer for pool staff? RLSS UK offers numerous qualifications, including the following: National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) First Aid Qualifications National Pool Supervisor Qualification (NPSQ) National Pool Management Qualification (NPMQ) National Pool Plant Operators Certificate (delivered by the Institute of Swimming) Swim School Health and Safety Award National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC) National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches LIGHT (NRASTC LIGHT) # Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award (ATPRA) Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award LIGHT (ATPRA LIGHT) Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award View all RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for help picking the right qualifications for your business. How can we become an RLSS UK Approved Training Centre? If you wish to deliver RLSS UK qualifications, you can become an Approved Training Centre (ATC) or Approved Training Provider (ATP). Our Compliance team provides a simple onboarding process with full support. Learn more about becoming an ATC/ATP Open Water Safety Services Location specific – ponds, lakes, beaches, canals What safety services does RLSS UK provide for open water swimming lakes and ponds? RLSS UK offers risk assessments, safety management plans, water quality advice, lifeguard requirement assessments, emergency response planning, and staff training recommendations for open water swimming venues. Do natural swimming lakes require lifeguards? This depends on various factors, including usage levels, user groups, water conditions, and specific hazards. Our RLSS UK consultants can assess your site and provide tailored recommendations on supervision requirements. What safety equipment should be provided around open water? Our RLSS UK consultants can advise on appropriate rescue equipment, safety signage, access control measures, and other safety features based on your specific site's needs and risk assessment. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. What safety services does RLSS UK provide for beach operators? RLSS UK offers beach safety assessments, lifeguard service planning, risk assessments, emergency response planning, and advice on appropriate safety equipment and signage for coastal environments. Can RLSS UK provide training for open water and beach lifeguards? Yes, RLSS UK offers the Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification, specifically designed for those supervising open water environments, and the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) for anyone looking to lifeguard beaches in the UK and Ireland. Learn more about the OWL qualification Find out more about the NVBLQ For Open Water Venue Operators and Landowners What do we need to consider when opening our site for public open water swimming? Key considerations include water quality testing regimes, hazard identification and management, access control, safety equipment, supervision requirements, user guidance, booking systems, emergency procedures, and staff training. Our RLSS UK consultants can provide comprehensive guidance on establishing a safe open water swimming venue. Do we need lifeguards for our open water swimming venue? Lifeguards constantly watching the water offer the best guarantee of pool user safety. However this depends on various factors, including the nature of your venue, expected user groups, site-specific hazards, and your operations. Our RLSS UK consultants can assess your specific circumstances and provide tailored recommendations. What water quality standards should we maintain for open water swimming? Open water swimming venues should typically maintain water quality standards in line with The Bathing Water Regulations 2013 or similar. This includes regular testing for bacteria levels and monitoring for blue-green algae and other potential contaminants. The RLSS UK Consultancy Services team can advise on appropriate testing regimes and response procedures. What documentation should we maintain for our open water activities? Typically, you should maintain comprehensive risk assessments, standard operating procedures, emergency action plans, staff training records, equipment maintenance logs, incident reports, and user briefing procedures. Our RLSS UK consultants can help you develop and implement appropriate documentation systems. Contact us at [email protected] or call 0300 323 0096 for more information. Find out more about RLSS UK Consultancy Services Request a call Manage Cookie Preferences