Audit Checklist: Waterslides

AUDIT CHECKLIST

Waterslide risk assessment, audit and inspection is a specialized area of occupational health and safety practice. Typically in the UK, the waterslide's date of construction defines what standards apply to its design. Whilst the date of the risk assessment defines what standards apply to the operation of the waterslide.

The following list of audit focus areas can help auditors ask the right questions to ascertain whether the design and management of a waterslide over 2 metres in height meets the core requirements. 

 

The waterslide operator can produce ( /5): 

• Operational risk assessment
• ISO 17025-compliant inspection report
• Practical test results
• The waterslide's height
• The waterslide's average inclination

 

Has the waterslide operator obtained from the waterslide designer produced ( /8): 

• Results of the preliminary risk assessment
• Build drawings and calculations
• Technical data and important characteristics 
• Detailed maintenance and technical operational programme
• Content of the daily checks
• Content and frequency of the operational checks 
• Content, frequency, and instructions for any maintenance, service, repair or replacement of parts required
• Frequency and conditions under which inspection by an independent third party is required

 

Has the waterslide operator obtained from the waterslide installer ( /2): 

• Construction documents
• Confirmation the construction was completed in line with the architectural design

 

Has a practical test report following ISO 17025 been produced for this waterslide? Does it include ( /11):

• The number of test runs completed
• The average speed and confirm this meets the requirements
• The maximum speed and confirm this meets the requirements
• The acceleration and confirm this meets the requirements
• The landing speed and confirm this meets the requirements
• That it was completed in the last three years or since the last modification (whichever is earlier)
• Confirmation the slide tester was bodily fit, had a mass between 70-110 kg and a height of at least 1.7 metres, had the necessary technical and practical knowledge, wore swimwear and familiarized themselves with the slide before use, reviewed the results of the preliminary risk assessment before testing
• The specification method relied on
• Any deviations, additions, or exclusions made
• A statement of any measurement uncertainty (where relevant) 
• A statement of conformity against the standard requirements

 

Has an operational risk assessment been conducted to take account of the following factors ( /7): 

• Inappropriate spacing between riders
• Determine the appropriate sliding positions
• Prevent the collision of users
• Manage reasonably foreseeable risky behaviours by riders
• Permitted rider categories (age, height, weight etc.) 
• Permitted use of ride-enhancement devices
• Prevention of unauthorised access

See our example of a waterslide risk assessment template in our resources section. 

 

Have guidelines for operational safety aspects been produced for the following areas ( /7): 

• Access and egress control 
• Rider limitations
• Number of riders
• Evacuation procedure
• Environmental operating limitations
• Competency of maintenance and repair persons
• Use of replacement parts

 

Is the waterslide operator able to produce the following items from the maintenance programme ( /10): 

• Is an incident logbook maintained?
• Is a maintenance logbook maintained?
• Are daily checks completed and documented?
• Is a periodic inspection completed every 1-3 months or as specified by the manufacturer?
• Is waterslide maintenance performed at least once per year?
• Has the waterslide operator supervised any maintenance work?
• Are any variations in the service interval agreed upon in writing with the manufacturer?
• Has the manufacturer and independent inspection body been consulted about any proposed modifications to the waterslide or landing unit?
• Is a thorough inspection completed by an independent inspection body at least once yearly or following any modification?
• Were operational risk assessments updated following any modification? 

 

Does the waterslide signage in place provides ( /6): 

• The water depth in any splashdown pool at the start section of the waterslide
• The waterslide's type
• Instructions to clear the landing area at the end of the ride
• The acceptable riding positions
• Any age, height, or weight restrictions
• Recognized iconography and appropriate colours

 

Does any ride enhancement device used on the waterslide provide ( /2): 

• Maximum dimensions for any rider
• Riding position to adopt
• That it floats

 

Does the waterslide have appropriate supervision arrangements in place, such as ( /2): 

• Appropriate access control
• Constant poolside supervision of any splashdown pool

 

For more information on the science behind the safety of waterslides, please see our research summary on waterslide safety. 

 

References

BS EN 1069-1:2017. Water slides. Safety requirements and test methods. 

BS EN 1069-2:2017. Water slides. Instructions for use.

 

Citation: Jacklin, D. 2022. Audit Focus: Waterslide Safety. Water Incident Research Hub, 23 October.