Pool Safety Operating Procedure (PSOP)

The Pool Safety Operating Procedure (PSOP) is a comprehensive, professionally structured system designed to ensure the safe, compliant and consistent operation of swimming pools, spa pools and leisure-water environments. Built specifically for organisations responsible for managing pool facilities, the PSOP provides clarity over how pools are operated, supervised and maintained on a day-to-day basis.

Pool environments present a unique combination of risks. These include water quality failures, chemical handling, plant and equipment issues, bather safety, hygiene management and emergency response. Many organisations struggle with fragmented documentation, unclear responsibilities or procedures that are not fully aligned with recognised industry guidance. The PSOP addresses these challenges by delivering a single, coherent operating framework that brings together technical, operational and safety controls into one authoritative system.

The PSOP is developed in line with the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) Code of Practice and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, including HSG 179: Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools. This ensures that all operational parameters, safety arrangements and management controls reflect current UK best practice and support organisations in meeting their legal duties under health and safety law. By embedding this guidance directly into clear, practical procedures, the PSOP removes uncertainty and supports consistent decision-making across all pool locations.

The PSOP includes a detailed policy that is split into two parts: a main policy containing core leisure safety requirements and a tailorable adoption section enabling each location to implement the policy in a site-specific and compliant way. It is supported by a suite of practical documentation, including editable NOP and EAP forms, a pool supervision risk assessment form, adoption and review declaration, and a cleaning schedule. The system outlines clear leisure safety roles and responsibilities and provides guidance on managing pool and spa safety. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Shield Safety management systems, supporting consistency, reducing duplication, and helping businesses proactively manage leisure safety risk. An optional annual on-site training session can also be purchased to ensure staff remain fully informed and capable of implementing the policy effectively.

Upon delivery, customers receive the complete PSOP policy template, including both the core policy and the site-specific adoption section, made available through the Policy module on RiskProof. All supplementary documents – forms, declarations, and risk assessment templates – are provided via the Documents module on RiskProof, giving businesses a complete, ready-to-implement leisure safety management system from day one.