Guidance: What is the maximum time a lifeguard can work on the poolside?

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This article discusses how long a lifeguard should provide constant waterside supervision before undertaking non-supervisory duties. 

The employer determines the maximum time a lifeguard can provide constant waterside supervision before requiring a rest break. If the employee's shift is longer than six hours, then they are entitled to a 20-minute rest break at some point during their shift. There is no requirement that time spent on a break must be paid. 

Theoretically, this means a lifeguard could be instructed to provide constant waterside supervision for 5 hours and 41 minutes before being entitled to a 20-minute rest break (if their shift was longer than 6 hours). 

Operators should take account of relevant guidance. The Royal Life Saving Society UK suggests that lifeguards should spend no longer than 60 minutes providing constant waterside supervision to help ensure the Standard of Supervision continues to be met. Up to 90 minutes may be permitted in exceptional circumstances. 

Academic studies have shown across a range of activities, including lifeguarding, that vigilance and detection rates decline over time. Easterman, Reagan, Liu et al (2014) showed that over the course of a continuous performance task lasting only 10 minutes, sensitivity decreased, and response time variability increased. More studies need to be done to evaluate the effect relationship between individual and environmental factors on vigilance and detection performance. 

A review of HSE guidance suggests that the following factors may be exacerbated by prolonged periods of providing constant waterside supervision: 

• Eye fatigue is exacerbated by adverse artificial or natural lighting conditions. 
• Auditory fatigue is exacerbated by loud environments or those with a significant echo. 
• Heat stress is exacerbated by poor HAVC controls, working in direct sunlight, and poor uniform design. 
• Dehydration is exacerbated by high humidity and lack of access to drinking water. 
• Muscular discomfort is exacerbated by sitting or standing in a set posture or position for prolonged periods. 
• Cognitive fatigue is exacerbated by prolonged concentration, tiredness, the number of interventions required, interpersonal interactions, and the effects of medication, drugs, and intoxicants. 

A human factors approach would identify Individual, Job, Environmental, and Organizational factors that can impact performance, including: 

• Individual - Eyesight, hearing, medications, drugs, alcohol, emotional regulation, interest, hunger, fasting, dieting, boredom, fatigue, lifeguard experience. 
• Job - Distractions, early interventions, homogeneity of guests, scanning strategy, movement speed, electronic devices, radios, phones. 
• Environmental - Noise, temperature, humidity, adverse visual effects, air quality, size of the pool surround, electronic devices, weather conditions. 
• Organizational - Lifeguard numbers, guest numbers, safety culture.  

Operators should also consult with other operators in the sector to establish the range of reasonable approaches adopted within similar operating environments. Our UK Pool Survey 2023 was the last study to collect data on this question and reported that 75% of operators adhered to a maximum supervisory period of 60 minutes and 95% to 90 minutes. Smaller pools were the most likely to permit lifeguards to provide constant waterside supervision in excess of 90 minutes. 

Operators may look to guidance in other professions, such as HGV drivers who are permitted to drive for up to 4.5 hours before being required to take a break. Lifeguards in France and the USA regularly provide supervision for several hours before undertaking non-supervisory duties. Guidance from the CPNI and ERGOS advises CCTV operators to take a 5-minute break every 20-30 minutes. 

References

^{CPNI. Human factors in CCTV control rooms: A best practice guide. https://www.npsa.gov.uk/system/files/documents/aa/e6/human-factors-in-CCTV-control-rooms-a-best-practice-guide.pdf}

^{Easterman, M., Reagan, A., Liu, G., Turner, C. and DeGutis, J. 2014. Reward reveals dissociable aspects of sustained attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143, pp.2287-2295.}

^{ERGOS. 2012. Human factors of CCTV. Part 1 Technology and Literature Review. https://www.sintef.no/globalassets/project/hfc/documents/spl386-r-cctv-literature-survey-finalversion.pdf}   

^{HSE. 1999. Reducing error and influencing human behaviour. HSG48, second edition https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg48.pdf}

^{HM Government: Home Office. 2009. CCTV Operational Requirements Manual. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/378443/28_09_CCTV_OR_Manual2835.pdf}

^{RLSS UK. 2018. Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools. https://www.rlss.org.uk/hsg179}

^{Ross, H., Russell, P. and Helton, W. 2014. Effects of breaks and goal switches on the vigilance decrement. Experimental Brain Research, 232, pp.1729-1737.}

^{Wood, J. and Clarke, T. 2006. Practical guidelines for CCTV ergonomics. In: Meeting Diversity in Ergonomics. Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association Congress. Elsevier, Amsterdam.}

Citation: Jacklin, D. 2024. What is the maximum time a lifeguard can work on the poolside? Water Incident Research Hub, 8 August.