Starting block liability in public pools

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

funkyfish — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:17:39 GMT

There's a pool near where I live where I swam my first masters meet two years ago. They had starting blocks on both ends then, now there's no blocks to be seen. They're supposed to have an annual age group invitational in the next week or so. Will the swimmers just dive off the side of the pool? If so, that's got to affect times right?

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

Former Member — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:05:32 GMT

Thats the dumbest thing iv ever heard. Whats the worst that can happen if you dive like an idiot sidways and hit the board/rail? A cut, or a bruise? If they are going to make dumb rules like that, they may as well ban takling in football in the state of Oregon.

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

Former Member — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:25:16 GMT

Surely USA-S can help. They are motivated to keep pools open. Perhaps they can help guide the insuring entity.

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

Former Member — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:01:28 GMT

There must have been an incident which brought about the liability concern. They also require that swimmers start from the water in shallow pools. www.usaswimming.org/.../DesktopDefault.aspx

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

aquageek — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:55:59 GMT

waves101 makes a really good point. I wonder if this isn't some policy implemented by the entity that insures the state, although I've not seen a single carrier insure a whole state. If it's just the carrier for your local municipality/city, you might have a chance. The key is going to be to get the carrier's risk manager on site to show the safety situation and steps you can take to comply. You have to escalate, escalate, escalate until you hit the person with authority to come out and visit with you. And, find a parent/swimmer on your team who is in the business and can decipher the lingo for you and push the right buttons.

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

dorothyrde — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:41:45 GMT

In Illinois a few years back, liability on block starting depth changed, and a bunch of pools could no longer hold competitions. It really hurt quite a few HS teams.

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

waves101 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:33:29 GMT

As a Commercial Insurance Agent, I'm interested to see where this risk assessment originated. Was it a loss control inspection by a carrier, a governmental body, etc? If its a carrier, you should be able to work with them and point out the extra precautions that are taken to reduce any potential liability. As long as they understand the risk and the precautions, they should be willing to esxtend the coverage. If its a governmental body, good luck.

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

pwolf66 — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:21:40 GMT

I have seen plenty of Masters and USS meets where the diving boards were less than 3 feet from the blocks. In all cases, the boards were flipped backwards and that seemed to be enough. Paul

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

swimshark — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:59:35 GMT

Tim, I don't have any advice but I've swam in that pool and it did not seem like a problem to me. If this is state-wide, Tualatin Hills will be in trouble as well. They have the diving boards next to the blocks. I know you were trying to get Zones and I hope this is resolved quickly and cheap for you all.

RE: Starting block liability in public pools

aquageek — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:55:17 GMT

This is super crazy. The only thing I can suggest is you seek out an insurance carrier who might be willing to issue single day/single event policies. I have no idea how much these cost or even if your municipality would even accept coverage you secure. Plus, the facility would still be sued if anything bad happened. But, might be worth looking into it. A decent broker could assist you. Are they worried kids will jump sideways off the blocks and hit the diving boards? Seems terribly insane. Blame Fort.