I have visited pool plants at different leisure facilities in the region, including those at hotels, fitness centres and spas, and it's evident that many pool plants do not meet international safety standards, with staff often not trained adequately to deal with the chemicals used at the plant.
Many pool plants do not meet international safety standards.
Pool plants at swimming pools require regular and ongoing maintenance. Improper and unsafe pool plant maintenance can lead to unhygienic water conditions that may cause diseases in users and could lead to the closure of the pool/spa facility. Even more concerning is that at some pool plants the set-up disregards precautions that should be taken when dealing with the dangerous and poisonous chemicals involved in swimming pool maintenance.
High-risk situations
• I have observed the following high risk set-ups in certain pool plants:
• Volatile chemicals stored beside each other
• Containers without spillage precautions
• Chemicals being injected at the same point into the plant system
• No proper signage on the chemicals
• No personal protective equipment (PPE) available
• No proper control of the chemicals used in the pool
• Untrained personnel dealing with pool plant and water-testing
In these cases, there is a risk of mixing different chemicals, which could lead to chemical reactions, explosions and development of poisonous gases that can cause fatalities. Also, contact with concentrated chemicals can cause severe chemical burns: hydrochloric acid, one of the chemicals that can be used at the pool plant, burns the skin in two seconds.
The role of managers
In the UK, health and safety officers will close a pool facility if the pool plant is not set up safely or causes any risk for health and safety of staff and guests. In this region, there are only basic regulations and control measurements by governmental bodies.
So it should be in the interest of each manager working at a facility with a pool to gain some knowledge and understanding of the pool plant operation and the substances used to avoid any accidents.
A one-day Basic Pool Plant Operator course would be sufficient to enable managers to implement and enforce safety standards and effectively control personnel that have duties in the pool plant.
Additionally, risk assessments should be carried out for the pool area, including the pool plant, in order to identify any hazards and develop safety measures. These should include the safe set-up of the pool plant, regular checks, staff training and supervision, proper and appropriate storage and handling of chemicals, and the use of PPE such as aprons, gloves and mouth and eye protection.
For the effective implementation of such safety precautions, it will often be necessary to co-ordinate between management, engineering/maintenance, pool plant companies, lifeguards and other staff in the pool area.
It's essential that only trained personnel operate the pool plant and undertake water testing. Such staff should have attended a Basic Pool Plant Operator course as a minimum, but more in-depth training is preferable.
Even if we carry out risk assessments and improve our safety standards there is always a chance that incidents or accidents will occur. In order to be prepared for such situations, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) - including data hazard sheets detailing any dangerous substances - should be in place as well.
