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manage and enjoy water
Aquatic Risk Assessment
Version 1.0, Sep 2024
An orderly collection of hazards present in aquatic environments, who are most at risk, and available control measures for consideration. Each hazard has a sample risk assessment that can be downloaded, which applies the guidance on this page.
A range of help pages on the general topic of risk assessment can be accessed below:
- Guidance on identifying hazards
- Guidance on identifying those most at risk
- Guidance on implementing risk assessment findings
- Guidance on monitoring, measuring, and reviewing control measures
- Guidance on assessing if lifeguards are required
- Guidance on completing Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests
- Guidance on assessing factors that can impact lifeguard performance
Hazard 1: Swim failure
Swim failure is a hazard and a cause of drowning. It occurs when a person cannot prevent themselves from becoming submerged in deep water. Swim failure can occur in swimmers and non-swimmers and all types of aquatic environments (read examples of drowning incidents). Download a sample risk assessment for swim failure (HAZ01) below.
Hazard 2: Cold and deep water
Cold water, typically <15 degrees Celsius, presents a risk of cold water shock (aka hypocapnia) and hypothermia, which can cause drowning. Cold water is typically present all year round at inland and coastal water venues in the UK. Cold water shock is common in inland and coastal water environments in the UK but less common in outdoor pools. Cold water shock occurs when a person loses respiratory control when suddenly immersed in cold and deep water. Hypothermia is rare in inland and coastal water but more common in the open sea. It occurs when immersed in cold water for protracted periods. Download a sample risk assessment for cold and deep water (HAZ02) below.
Hazard 3: Health event
Health events can occur with or without warning and may result in a loss of consciousness or limit mobility whilst in the water, which can cause drowning. Health events can affect those using inland, coastal and swimming pool waters. Anyone can experience a health event while using the water, but some users have a pre-existing medical history, which places them at higher risk. Few health events are immediately fatal, but where they impair consciousness or limit mobility while in the water, they will likely start the drowning process. Download a sample risk assessment for health event (HAZ03) below.
Hazard 4: Entrapment
Persons can become entrapped when using the water, which can cause drowning. Entrapment can occur in any aquatic environment, including inland and coastal water and swimming pools. Becoming entrapped in a way which maintains submersion is likely to result in drowning, whereas if a person is entrapped but not submerged, it may result in hypoxia and psychiatric harm. Young children are most at risk from experiencing entrapment in and around the pool. Download a sample risk assessment for entrapment (HAZ04) below.
Hazard 5: Falls and collisions
Persons can fall or collide with other persons, fixtures, objects, and vehicles when using the water, which can cause bruises, sprains, strains, dislocations, and broken bones. This, in turn, can trigger swim failure and drowning. Falls and collisions may occur in any aquatic environment, including inland and coastal water and swimming pools. Download a sample risk assessment for falls and collisions (HAZ05) below.
Hazard 6: Interpersonal conflict
Persons may range from minor arguments to more serious interpersonal conflict such violence, sexual harm, financial exploitation, property damage, forced labour, human trafficking, bullying, intimidation, discrimination, and harassment. Persons may also drown as a result of interpersonal conflict, which can occur in any aquatic environment, including inland and coastal water and swimming pools. Download a sample risk assessment for interpersonal conflict (HAZ06) below.
