Header:
WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER DHS 175 RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPS
Date:
02/18/2014
Document:
DHS 175.18 Safety and supervision
(1) CAMPER SUPERVISION. One staff member, 18 years of age or older, excluding kitchen and maintenance staff, shall be provided for every 10 campers or fraction thereof under age 18, except that for campers 6 years of age and under there shall be one staff member for every 4 campers or fraction thereof.
(2) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. (a) Use. Chemicals, flammables and other hazardous substances shall be used for their intended purpose and according to the manufacturer's directions stated on the container label.
(b) Storage. 1. Chemicals and other hazardous substances shall be stored in their original, covered and labeled containers in a separate, secure area accessible only by appropriate staff.
2. If taken on off-site trips, hazardous substances shall be stored in appropriate, easily identifiable containers.
3. Flammable materials shall be stored in a well-ventilated structure, separate from areas occupied by campers and staff.
(c) Disposal. Hazardous substances shall be disposed of in a manner and location as directed on the manufacturer's label or the material safety data sheet by the local agency having jurisdiction over handling hazardous substances and the applicable sections of chs. NR 660 to 670.
(3) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. (a) Trained staff shall supervise program activities.
(b) A trained adult shall supervise high-risk activities. High-risk activities include firearms, archery, ropes or chal-lenge courses, horseback riding and rock climbing.
(c) No firearms or archery equipment are permitted in a camp except for use in an organized and supervised camp activity. All firearms, ammunition and archery equipment not being used shall be securely stored under lock.
(d) High-risk equipment shall be properly stored or secured when not in use.
(4) PLANS FOR CAMPER SECURITY AND DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES. (a) Written plans. A camp shall have written plans for ensuring camper security and for dealing with emergencies including fire, severe weather, lost campers and lost swimmers.
(b) Staff training. Camp staff shall be instructed and periodically drilled in the use of emergency equipment and the procedures to be followed for notifying emergency personnel.
(c) Fire control. 1. A camp shall have firefighting equipment available in non-permanent sleeping areas. Where fire barrels or buckets are used, they shall be painted red or plainly marked, maintained and kept filled with water.
2. For permanent structures, a camp shall comply with the fire safety requirements of chs. SPS 314 and 361 to 365, including rules on isolation of fire hazards, fire escapes, fire exits, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, exit lighting, space heaters, ventilation and directions of escape.
3. All emergency equipment shall be continuously maintained.
4. Local fire fighting and law enforcement officials shall be notified in writing when a camp is planned to be opera-tional or annually if the camp is open the entire year.
(5) WATER ACTIVITIES. (a) All swimming and watercraft activities at a camp shall be under the direction of an adult water activities director who holds a current department-approved lifeguard certification.
(b) Every person serving as a lifeguard at a camp shall hold a current department-approved lifeguard certification, a current first-aid certificate approved by the department and a current certificate approved by the department for the completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children and infants, and shall have training, as required by the U.S. occupational safety and health administration under 29 CFR 1910.1030, bloodborne pathogens standard.
Note: A list of approved certification courses for lifeguarding, first aid and CPR may be obtained from the Bureau of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, WI 53701-2659.
(c) Except as allowed in par. (d), either the water activities director or a staff person who is certified as specified in par. (b) shall be on duty at each water activity area, such as where boating, canoeing, swimming or water skiing occurs, for every 50 persons or fraction thereof in the water. In addition, there shall be an overall ratio of one staff person at each water activity area for every 10 persons in the water.
(d) A group consisting only of adults or a group participating in a family camping program with at least one parent or designated adult supervisor present and supervising may use water activity areas, other than swimming, without supervision by camp aquatics staff provided the group receives orientation from camp aquatics staff based on written procedures that specify all of the following:
1. Personal flotation devices shall be provided in accordance with s. 30.62 (3) (a), Stats., for each boat under 16 feet in length. Boats 16 feet in length or more shall also be equipped with at least one U.S. coast guard approved type IV throwable flotation device.
2. Personal flotation devices shall be worn by all persons at all times when operating or riding on personal water-craft in accordance with s. 30.62 (3) (b), Stats.
3. Safety regulations shall be followed, including safety devices for personal watercraft in accordance with s. 30.62 (3m), Stats.
4. A designated check-in and check-out system is to be used by camp staff to identify persons using the water ac-tivity areas.
(e) An equipped first-aid kit appropriate for its intended use as determined by the water activities director or the camp health supervisor shall be maintained and readily available at each water activity area.
Note: To obtain a copy of the list of the Department-recommended first-aid kit contents or to determine which agent to contact for the list, write: Bureau of Environmental Health, P. O. Box 2659, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2659.
(f) Lifesaving equipment, including a minimum of at least a backboard, ring buoy or rescue tube or throw bag and reaching pole, shall be maintained and immediately available at each water activity area.
(g) The camp operator or water activities director shall establish and enforce a method for checking persons in and out of the water.
(h) The camp operator or water activities director shall establish and enforce a method for supervising persons in the water such as the buddy system, the colored cap system or a combination of methods of supervising persons.
(i) The camp operator or water activities director shall designate a separate area for each water activity.
(j) The camp operator or water activities director shall conspicuously post swimming and boating regulations and restrictions at all water activity areas.
(k) Access to a water activity area shall be controlled and the area used for swimming shall be clearly marked and separated into sections for nonswimmers, beginners, intermediates and proficient swimmers. No person may go into a section beyond his or her classification except when being tested under supervision for the next higher level.
(L) Water activity areas shall be free of hazards, and equipment in water activity areas shall be maintained. Equipment includes docks, ladders, rafts, diving boards, boats, life jackets and paddles.
(m) A camp may allow swimming after dark in swimming areas if a minimum of 5 foot-candles general overhead lighting is provided. The illumination shall be measured at water level.
(n) A rescue boat shall be readily available when water activities extend beyond the designated swimming area. The boat shall be provided with at least a ring buoy or rescue tube or throw bag attached to 50 feet of 1/4 inch rope and a reaching pole.
(o) Personal floatation devices shall be U.S. coast guard approved and shall be sized properly for each individual.
Note: To obtain a copy of the department's "Model Ordinance for Public Beaches," write: Bureau of Environmental Health, P. O. Box 2659, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2659.
(6) SWIMMING POOLS. Any swimming pool, wading pool, whirlpool or similar structure shall comply with ch. SPS 390 and the camp operator shall obtain a permit and operate the pool in accordance with ch. DHS 172.
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