OAR 414-300-0380
Swimming Activities
(1) Definitions:
(a) “Beginning swimmer” means a child who has mastered the skills required to:
(A) Hold his breath with his head submerged;
(B) Perform a front and back float;
(C) Perform the flutter kick on his front and back;
(D) Be able to level off from a vertical entry into a float position; and
(E) Do a combined stroke (front or back) for at least 20 feet without stopping.
(b) “Non-swimmer” means a child who does not meet the definition of beginning swimmer.
(c) “Lifeguard” means a person holding current certification and meeting the requirements of OAR 333-060-0015 (Definitions)(14).
(d) “Swimming pool” means a swimming or wading pool licensed by the Oregon Health Division or one of its delegated agents under the requirements of OAR 333-060-0005 (Purpose) through 333-060-0705 (Pool Closure Criteria).
(e) “Wading” means water activities in which the water’s depth is no higher than the child’s knee.
(2) General Health and Safety:
(a) Children with diarrhea or who have had diarrhea within the last two weeks shall not use the pool.
(b) Children who are not toilet trained shall wear swim diapers.
(c) Children shall use the toilet and shower before entering the pool.
(d) Proper supervision shall be maintained, as specified in OAR 414-300-0380 (Swimming Activities)(3)(e), (f) and (g) and 414-300-0380 (Swimming Activities)(4)(d).
(e) The pool operator shall maintain water quality as required in OAR 333-060-0200 (Pool Water Quality) or pool use shall cease until the water quality is restored.
(f) Children using the pool shall participate in basic water safety instruction based on their ages and developmental levels.
(g) Recreational swimming is not allowed for non-swimmers ages 6 weeks to 36 months in swimming pools with water depth 24 inches and over.
(h) Portable-style wading pools are not permitted.
(3) On-Premises Pool Facilities:
(a) On-premises pool facilities shall be licensed by the Oregon Health Division or its delegated agent and shall comply with the requirements in OAR 333-060-0005 (Purpose) through 333-060-0705 (Pool Closure Criteria).
(b) On-premises pool facilities shall have toilets and showers for use by the swimmers.
(c) All new pools or pools at centers certified after July 15, 200l, shall have dressing areas for each sex, with storage for the children’s clothes.
(d) All activities occurring in a pool shall be under the direction and direct supervision of lifeguards.
(e) Center staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times children are in the pool area, as specified in Table 4 of this rule.
(A) All adults counted in the staff/child ratios in Table 4 shall be able to swim if the water is more than 48 inches deep and, regardless of the water depth, shall be dressed for swimming.
(B) For children 6 weeks to 36 months, one of the required staff must be in the water. Other staff may be on deck.
(f) Lifeguard/child ratios shall be maintained at all times children are in the pool area:
(A) For children not yet attending kindergarten, there shall be one lifeguard for every 20 children;
(B) For children attending kindergarten and older, there shall be one lifeguard for every 40 children; and
(C) For mixed age groups of children, the age of the youngest child shall determine the lifeguard/child ratio.
(g) During all periods of pool operation, the appropriate number of life guards shall be on duty in the pool area. During periods of recreational swimming, at least one of the required number of life guards shall be stationed on the pool deck.
(h) Water activities that involve a sprayer or spray feature using potable water that is not re-circulated or collected may be conducted by the center. [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
(i) A written plan for pool emergencies shall be available to all staff. The plan shall cover procedures for medical emergencies, chemical emergencies and severe weather.
(A) Staff shall be familiar with emergency procedures, the use of safety equipment and emergency contacts.
(B) The center shall provide in-service training and/or drills of the emergency procedures for the pool at least every six months. The director shall keep a written record of the type, date, time and duration of the training/drills.
(C) Emergency telephone numbers shall be posted near the telephone in the pool area and near a centrally-located and accessible telephone in the center.
(j) Safety equipment shall be provided and comply with OAR 333-060-0005 (Purpose) through 333-060-0705 (Pool Closure Criteria). In addition:
(A) All pools shall have an emergency telephone located in the pool area. The telephone shall be able to dial directly for emergency assistance, unless otherwise approved by the Oregon Health Division.
(B) A bodily-fluid spill clean-up kit shall be provided in the pool area. The kit shall consist, at a minimum, of protective gloves, disinfectant, clean-up materials (e.g., bucket, sponge, paper towels), and a biohazard waste bag, be stored in a complete condition, and be replaced or restocked immediately after use.
(C) A rescue tube, of the type required by the lifeguard certifying agency, shall be provided for each lifeguard on duty.
(4) Off-Premises Pool Facilities:
(a) Off-premises pool facilities used by the center shall be licensed by the Oregon Health Division as public swimming pools.
(b) The off-premises pool management shall be made aware of the child care center rules regarding swimming activities.
(c) Center staff and children shall comply with the rules and regulations of the public swimming pool.
(d) Center staff shall comply with the staff/child ratios in Table 4 of this rule. Lifeguard/child ratios shall be determined by the public swimming pool.
(e) Children shall be within sight and sound of center staff at all times.
(f) First aid supplies and a copy of each child’s medical release form shall be taken to off-premises pool facilities.
(5) Natural Bathing Areas:
(a) The center shall not conduct swimming activities in areas with flowing water.
(b) Wading is the only water activity permitted in shallow surf, lakes, rivers and streams.
[ED NOTE: Tables referenced are available from the agency.]
Source:
Rule 414-300-0380 — Swimming Activities, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=414-300-0380.