Pillar

Measure / Requirement (FEHD)

Key Actions / Enforcement

1. Licensee responsibilities

Licensees must ensure sufficient qualified lifeguards are on duty when the pool is open. Before engagement, licensees must check the lifeguard’s identity document, lifesaving award/badge, and lifeguard handbook, and retain copies for inspection when required. FEHD has introduced a standard record format to record on-duty lifeguards’ ID and badge particulars, with signatures by the inspecting officer and the lifeguard.

Strengthened requirements on staffing, pre-engagement verification and record-keeping.

2. Enhanced inspections and penalties

FEHD has strengthened inspections of licensed private pools: (i) monthly inspections to check each on-duty lifeguard’s ID and badge; (ii) after inspections, submission of all badge details to the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society (HKCLSS) for verification; and (iii) summer special inspections, particularly on weekends and in the evenings, targeting lifeguard qualifications.

Where insufficient qualified lifeguards are identified, FEHD will take immediate actions including: requiring immediate pool closure, prosecution for breach of Regulation 12, and/or issuing warning letters. Licensees must issue closure notices (e.g., prominently at the pool entrance; for residential estates, notify the Owners’ Corporation and other relevant parties). Suspected forged or borrowed documents will be reported to the Police. Repeat non-compliance: two occurrences within one year may lead to 6-month licence suspension (with required notification to relevant parties); three occurrences within one year may lead to licence cancellation. Following cancellation, the licensee or related persons may not apply for a pool licence at the same location for 12 months.

3. Cross-agency collaboration

FEHD is strengthening communication and close collaboration with relevant departments/organisations, including the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) and HKCLSS. FEHD and PMSA have enhanced inspections and publicity/education before the swimming season and established a case communication mechanism to follow up on licensees and property management companies within their respective powers. FEHD and HKCLSS continue to streamline the credential verification mechanism in a fast, effective and cost-efficient manner. FEHD is also exchanging experience and information with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on pool supervision and management, including verification practices for outsourced lifeguards. FEHD has invited the Police to notify FEHD when suspected fake-document cases are identified, enabling targeted follow-up.

FEHD will continue the above measures in 2026 and further strengthen related management and monitoring, while working closely with the trade to maintain a high standard of pool management and oversight.