SWIMMING POOLSWIMMING POOL HEALTH & SAFETY HEALTH & SAFETY

Gary Barnes, RSGary Barnes, RS

Why test pool water?Why test pool water?

Essential part of Essential part of both Public Health both Public Health and the general and the general maintenance and maintenance and life of the Pool.life of the Pool.

To assure both, the To assure both, the pool operator must pool operator must do a number of do a number of simple water tests. simple water tests.

Maintenance = Good HealthMaintenance = Good Health

Poor maintenance of the pool may Poor maintenance of the pool may lead to low levels of disinfectant lead to low levels of disinfectant (chlorine) and clogged filters that (chlorine) and clogged filters that may place swimmers at risk for may place swimmers at risk for diarrheal diseases and skin, ear, diarrheal diseases and skin, ear, and upper respiratory infections.and upper respiratory infections.

DISEASE TRANSMISSIONDISEASE TRANSMISSION

EYE INFECTIONSEYE INFECTIONS EAR INFECTIONSEAR INFECTIONS SKIN INFECTIONSSKIN INFECTIONS CONJUNCTIVITISCONJUNCTIVITIS VARIOUS FEVERSVARIOUS FEVERS E. Coli 0157:H7E. Coli 0157:H7 EYE IRRITATION CAUSED BY

IMPROPERLY BALANCED POOL.

Sources of ContaminationSources of Contamination

Body discharges such as mucous Body discharges such as mucous from the nose, saliva, sweat, fecal from the nose, saliva, sweat, fecal matter, urine, dead skin.matter, urine, dead skin.

Street and workplace soil, body Street and workplace soil, body lotions, suntan creams, dust, lotions, suntan creams, dust, pollen, air pollutants, animals pollen, air pollutants, animals droppings, insects.droppings, insects.

EXCLUDED!EXCLUDED!

Persons with sore Persons with sore or inflamed eyes, or inflamed eyes, colds, nasal or ear colds, nasal or ear discharge, boils, or discharge, boils, or other acute or other acute or obvious skin or obvious skin or body infections, or body infections, or cuts shall be cuts shall be excluded from the excluded from the pool.pool.

EXCLUDED!EXCLUDED!

ANIMALS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE POOL.

EXCLUDED!EXCLUDED!

ANIMALS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE POOL.

FECAL ACCIDENTSFECAL ACCIDENTS

Fecal accidents Fecal accidents can release large can release large amounts of amounts of contaminated contaminated material into a material into a pool or spa at one pool or spa at one time.time.

Every pool needs Every pool needs an established an established procedure.procedure.

FECAL ACCIDENTSFECAL ACCIDENTS

MOST DIARRHEAL OUTBREAKS MOST DIARRHEAL OUTBREAKS IN POOLS APPEAR TO BE IN POOLS APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO ACCIDENTAL RELATED TO ACCIDENTAL FECAL CONTAMINATION OF FECAL CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER BY SOMEONE WHO THE WATER BY SOMEONE WHO IS ILL WITH DIARRHEA.IS ILL WITH DIARRHEA.

FECAL ACCIDENTSFECAL ACCIDENTS

EXAMPLES OF DISEASE ORGANISMS:EXAMPLES OF DISEASE ORGANISMS: Cryptosporidium parvumCryptosporidium parvum E. coli 0157:H7E. coli 0157:H7 Giardia lambliaGiardia lamblia ShigellaShigella

Giardia lamblia

CryptosporidiumCryptosporidium

Major germ that Major germ that causes outbreaks.causes outbreaks.

Extreme chlorine Extreme chlorine resistance.resistance.

Small size.Small size. Will challenge Will challenge

even the best even the best equipped and equipped and maintained pool.maintained pool. Crypto in human intestine

E. coli 0157:H7E. coli 0157:H7

Rare occurrence in Rare occurrence in chlorinated pools.chlorinated pools.

Only two reported Only two reported to Centers For to Centers For Disease Control.Disease Control.

High profile cases High profile cases because of deaths because of deaths associated with associated with incidents.incidents.

Germ-resistance to Germ-resistance to ChlorineChlorine

Disinfection Times for Fecal Disinfection Times for Fecal ContaminantsContaminants

E.coliE.coli << 1 minute<< 1 minute Hepatitis AHepatitis A 16 minutes16 minutes GiardiaGiardia 20-45 minutes20-45 minutes CryptoCrypto 9600 minutes9600 minutes

*1 mg / L (1 ppm) chlorine, pH 7.5 /25 C*1 mg / L (1 ppm) chlorine, pH 7.5 /25 C

FECAL ACCIDENTSFECAL ACCIDENTS

CLOSE THE POOL!CLOSE THE POOL! Remove as much feces as possible.Remove as much feces as possible. Disinfect: CT value of 9600 (where Disinfect: CT value of 9600 (where

C= chlorine and T=time)C= chlorine and T=time) Monitor hourly.Monitor hourly. Recirculate continuouslyRecirculate continuously Low volume: drain & disinfectLow volume: drain & disinfect Proper pH and chlorine to reopen.Proper pH and chlorine to reopen.

Part II:Part II:SWIMMING POOLSWIMMING POOL

DROWNINGS DROWNINGS

Gary Barnes, RSGary Barnes, RS

LIFEGUARDSLIFEGUARDS

THE CODE THE CODE DOES NOT

REQUIRE REQUIRE LIFEGUARDS TO LIFEGUARDS TO BE ON DUTY IN BE ON DUTY IN

SEMIPUBLIC SEMIPUBLIC POOLSPOOLS

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

Children under 5 Children under 5 yrsyrs

UnsupervisedUnsupervised Cannot swimCannot swim Fall into a pool or Fall into a pool or

pool cover with pool cover with water on topwater on top

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

75% Between 1 & 3 Yrs. old.75% Between 1 & 3 Yrs. old. Toddlers - Behavior change.Toddlers - Behavior change. 69% not expected to be near the 69% not expected to be near the

pool, yet later found in the water.pool, yet later found in the water. 20 Seconds to drown. Less time 20 Seconds to drown. Less time

than it takes to answer the phonethan it takes to answer the phone 75% Missing from sight for less than 75% Missing from sight for less than

5 minutes.5 minutes.

DROWNING - NUMBERSDROWNING - NUMBERS

300 CHILDREN 300 CHILDREN UNDER 5 YR OLD UNDER 5 YR OLD IN RESIDENTAL IN RESIDENTAL POOLS.POOLS.

2,000 CHILDREN 2,000 CHILDREN TREATED IN TREATED IN EMERGENCY EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR POOL ROOMS FOR POOL RELATED RELATED ACCIDENTSACCIDENTS

DROWNINGS - COSTDROWNINGS - COST

$2,000 FOR A $2,000 FOR A VICTIM WHO VICTIM WHO RECOVERS.RECOVERS.

$80,000 FOR $80,000 FOR VICTIM WITH VICTIM WITH BRAIN DAMAGE.BRAIN DAMAGE.

THREAT OF THREAT OF LAWSUITS AND $LAWSUITS AND $$MILLIONS$$$MILLIONS$$

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

FOR A CHILD, FOR A CHILD, DROWNING IS DROWNING IS NOT NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD NOISE OR LOUD NOISE OR SPLASHING.SPLASHING.

DROWNING IS DROWNING IS SILENT!SILENT!

DROWNINGDROWNING

TO PREVENT CHILD TO PREVENT CHILD DROWNINGS, DROWNINGS, THERE IS NO THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR SUBSTITUTE FOR PARENTAL PARENTAL SUPERVISION.SUPERVISION.

THE ‘BUDDY’ THE ‘BUDDY’ SYSTEM OF TWO SYSTEM OF TWO CHILDREN DOES CHILDREN DOES NOT WORK!!!NOT WORK!!!

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

Second largest category is male Second largest category is male teens.teens.

Drinking and divingDrinking and diving End up in a wheelchair, if lucky.End up in a wheelchair, if lucky. Alcohol and spas are a deady Alcohol and spas are a deady

combination: hot water and liquor = combination: hot water and liquor = sleep = drownings in only three sleep = drownings in only three feet of water.feet of water.

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

Pools & spas are an ‘attractive Pools & spas are an ‘attractive nuisance’nuisance’

Permanent barrier to entry.Permanent barrier to entry. Non-climbable, self-closing, self-Non-climbable, self-closing, self-

latching. Gate locked when not in use.latching. Gate locked when not in use. Do not place chairs / tables so that Do not place chairs / tables so that

child can climb over.child can climb over. Sight lines to monitor the pool.Sight lines to monitor the pool.

DROWNINGSDROWNINGS

Standing water of top of pool covers.Standing water of top of pool covers. Cover pumps or mesh safety cover.Cover pumps or mesh safety cover. Solar blankets or solid covers removed.Solar blankets or solid covers removed. Entrapment by the suction of a single Entrapment by the suction of a single

main drain.main drain. Entrapment of hair, small arms, legs.Entrapment of hair, small arms, legs.

PREVENTIONPREVENTION

VISUAL SUPERVISION OF POOL.VISUAL SUPERVISION OF POOL. PHONE NEAR POOL & NUMBERS.PHONE NEAR POOL & NUMBERS. RESCUE EQUIPMENT.RESCUE EQUIPMENT. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO

PLAY NEAR THE POOL.PLAY NEAR THE POOL. HAVE STAFF TAKE CPR CLASS.HAVE STAFF TAKE CPR CLASS. INFORM YOUR GUESTS.INFORM YOUR GUESTS.

Part III:Part III:SWIMMING POOLSWIMMING POOL

CHEMICAL SAFETY CHEMICAL SAFETY

Gary Barnes, RSGary Barnes, RS

TRANSPORTING TRANSPORTING CHEMICALSCHEMICALS

KEEP VEHICLE CLEAN & ORGANIZED.KEEP VEHICLE CLEAN & ORGANIZED. SEPARATE INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALSSEPARATE INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALS DON’T PURCHASE DAMAGED DON’T PURCHASE DAMAGED

CONTAINERSCONTAINERS ANCHOR LOAD.ANCHOR LOAD. OBTAIN THE MSDS & KEEP HAZMAT OBTAIN THE MSDS & KEEP HAZMAT

INFO IN THE VEHICLE.INFO IN THE VEHICLE.

MSDSMSDS

http://siri.org/msds/index.html

INTERNET ACCESS TO THE MATERIAL SAFETY

DATASHEETS - - THE VERMONT SIRI MSDS

COLLECTION

CHEMICAL STORAGECHEMICAL STORAGE

STORE IN A COOL, DRY, WELL STORE IN A COOL, DRY, WELL VENTILATED AREA WITH A LOCKED VENTILATED AREA WITH A LOCKED ENTRY. DO NOT SET OUTSIDE IN THE ENTRY. DO NOT SET OUTSIDE IN THE SUN.SUN.

DO NOT STACK CHEMICAL DO NOT STACK CHEMICAL CONTAINERS ON TOP ONE ANOTHER.CONTAINERS ON TOP ONE ANOTHER.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

CHEMICAL STORAGECHEMICAL STORAGE

KEEP OUT OF THE KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF REACH OF CHILDREN!CHILDREN!

DUH!DUH!

CHEMICAL STORAGECHEMICAL STORAGE

KEEP CHEMICALS SEPARATE. KEEP CHEMICALS SEPARATE. VIOLENT REACTIONS SUCH AS VIOLENT REACTIONS SUCH AS EXPLOSIONS, FIRE, OR NOXIOUS EXPLOSIONS, FIRE, OR NOXIOUS GAS PRODUCTION CAN OCCUR GAS PRODUCTION CAN OCCUR WHEN INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALS WHEN INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALS CONTACT ONE ANOTHER.CONTACT ONE ANOTHER.

REPLACE LIDS AND CAPS FIRMLY REPLACE LIDS AND CAPS FIRMLY AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER OPENING.AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER OPENING.

CHEMICAL STORAGECHEMICAL STORAGE

NEVER MIX NEVER MIX CHEMICALS CHEMICALS TOGETHER!TOGETHER!

BE CAREFUL OF BE CAREFUL OF HOW YOU HOW YOU DISPOSE OF DISPOSE OF LEFTOVER LEFTOVER CHEMICALS.CHEMICALS.

CHEMICAL STORAGECHEMICAL STORAGE

POST THE POST THE MATERIAL SAFETY MATERIAL SAFETY DATASHEETS AND DATASHEETS AND EMERGENCY EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND INFORMATION AND PHONE NUMBERS PHONE NUMBERS NEARBY--ALL STAFF NEARBY--ALL STAFF SHOULD KNOW SHOULD KNOW WHERE TO FIND.WHERE TO FIND.

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS.FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! IF THE LABEL IS FADED OR TORN, IF THE LABEL IS FADED OR TORN,

DON’T GUESSDON’T GUESS - - - RETURN IT TO - - - RETURN IT TO YOUR DEALER.YOUR DEALER.

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

ADD ADD CHEMICALS TO CHEMICALS TO POOL WATER, POOL WATER, NOT THE NOT THE OTHER WAY OTHER WAY AROUND.AROUND.

READ THE READ THE INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

ADD DIRECTLY TO THE POOL OR ADD DIRECTLY TO THE POOL OR THROUGH A FEEDER DESIGNED THROUGH A FEEDER DESIGNED FOR THAT CHEMICAL.FOR THAT CHEMICAL.

CHEMICALS ADDED DIRECTLY TO CHEMICALS ADDED DIRECTLY TO THE SKIMMER COULD ALLOW THE SKIMMER COULD ALLOW STRONG CONCENTRATIONS TO STRONG CONCENTRATIONS TO HARM EQUIPMENT OR SWIMMERSHARM EQUIPMENT OR SWIMMERS..

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

ALWAYS USE A ALWAYS USE A CLEAN BUCKET CLEAN BUCKET AND SCOOP AND SCOOP DESIGNATED DESIGNATED ONLY FOR THAT ONLY FOR THAT CHEMICAL.CHEMICAL.

LABELLABEL THE THE BUCKETS AS TO BUCKETS AS TO USE.USE.

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

IMMEDIATELY IMMEDIATELY CLEAN UP ANY CLEAN UP ANY CHEMICAL SPILLS.CHEMICAL SPILLS.

IF A VIOLENT IF A VIOLENT REACTION REACTION OCCURS, CALL OCCURS, CALL THE FIRE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.DEPARTMENT.

DRY SPILLSDRY SPILLS

CAREFULLY SWEEP UP WITH CLEAN CAREFULLY SWEEP UP WITH CLEAN BROOM AND SHOVEL.BROOM AND SHOVEL.

PLACE IN CLEAN, DRY, PLASTIC PLACE IN CLEAN, DRY, PLASTIC CONTAINER.CONTAINER.

AVOID BREATHING THE DUST.AVOID BREATHING THE DUST. IF POSSIBLE, DILUTE WITH WATER IF POSSIBLE, DILUTE WITH WATER

AND ADD TO POOL.AND ADD TO POOL.

DRY SPILLSDRY SPILLS

DO NOT PLACE FLOOR SWEEPINGS DO NOT PLACE FLOOR SWEEPINGS OF CHEMICALS BACK INTO THE OF CHEMICALS BACK INTO THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER--MAY CAUSE ORIGINAL CONTAINER--MAY CAUSE REACTION.REACTION.

DO NOT USE A SHOP VAC OR DO NOT USE A SHOP VAC OR VACUUM CLEANER TO CLEAN UP VACUUM CLEANER TO CLEAN UP SPILLED SUBSTANCES.SPILLED SUBSTANCES.

LIQUID SPILLSLIQUID SPILLS

SOAK UP WITH A CLEAN SOAK UP WITH A CLEAN ABSORBENT MATERIAL AND PLACE ABSORBENT MATERIAL AND PLACE INSIDE A CLEAN PLASTIC OR INSIDE A CLEAN PLASTIC OR PLASTIC LINED CONTAINER.PLASTIC LINED CONTAINER.

FLUSH THE AREA WITH LARGE FLUSH THE AREA WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER.AMOUNTS OF WATER.

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

USING POOL CHEMICALSUSING POOL CHEMICALS

DO NOT BREATHE CHEMICAL DO NOT BREATHE CHEMICAL FUMES OR DUST.FUMES OR DUST.

WASH SKIN IF CONTACT OCCURS.WASH SKIN IF CONTACT OCCURS. IF CHEMICALS SPLASH INTO EYES, IF CHEMICALS SPLASH INTO EYES,

FLUSH WITH WATER (ONLY IF THE FLUSH WITH WATER (ONLY IF THE MSDS DOES NOT ADVISE AGAINST MSDS DOES NOT ADVISE AGAINST THIS PROCEDURE).THIS PROCEDURE).

USING POOL CHEMICALUSING POOL CHEMICAL

USE ONLY A USE ONLY A WATER FILLED WATER FILLED FIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHEREXTINGUISHER ON A CHLORINE ON A CHLORINE CHEMICAL FIRE.CHEMICAL FIRE.

NEVERNEVER USE THE USE THE DRY TYPE OF DRY TYPE OF EXTINGUISHER.EXTINGUISHER.

Part IV:Part IV:SWIMMING POOLSWIMMING POOL REGULATIONS REGULATIONS

Gary Barnes, RSGary Barnes, RS

Rules & RegulationsRules & Regulations

Chapter 15 of the Coconino County Chapter 15 of the Coconino County Rules “For Public and Semipublic Rules “For Public and Semipublic Bathing Places.”Bathing Places.”

Check the ‘Definition Section - 15-Check the ‘Definition Section - 15-1-2 to determine the type of 1-2 to determine the type of swimming pool operation you have swimming pool operation you have . . . Which will determine the . . . Which will determine the regulations to follow.regulations to follow.

Semi-public PoolSemi-public Pool

“ “ . . . part of a hotel, motel, trailer court, . . . part of a hotel, motel, trailer court, apartment house, country club, health apartment house, country club, health club, condominium where the primary club, condominium where the primary business is business is NOTNOT the operation of the the operation of the swimming facilities and where swimming facilities and where admission to the use of the pool is admission to the use of the pool is included in the fee, or consideration included in the fee, or consideration paid or given for the primary use of the paid or given for the primary use of the premises.”premises.”

Reg. 15-1-2 (N)Reg. 15-1-2 (N)

PERMIT REQUIREDPERMIT REQUIRED

No person shall operate any public No person shall operate any public or semi-public pool unless he or semi-public pool unless he possesses a valid permit from the possesses a valid permit from the Health Authority.Health Authority.

Permits valid for a period of 1 year.Permits valid for a period of 1 year. Prior to the issuance of any permit, Prior to the issuance of any permit,

an inspection of the premises and an inspection of the premises and all installations shall be made.all installations shall be made.

Three Main TestsThree Main Tests

Residual disinfectant and Residual disinfectant and disinfectant by-products (Free & disinfectant by-products (Free & combined Chlorine)combined Chlorine)

Water Balance (pH, Total Alkalinity, Water Balance (pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Temperature)Calcium Hardness, Temperature)

Undesirable residual chemicals Undesirable residual chemicals (Sulphates, Chlorides, Cyanurates)(Sulphates, Chlorides, Cyanurates)

The Big TwoThe Big Two

The essential tests are pH The essential tests are pH and and Free and and and Free and

Combined Chlorine Combined Chlorine (assuming that chlorine is (assuming that chlorine is used as the disinfectant).used as the disinfectant).

WATER QUALITY STANDARDSWATER QUALITY STANDARDS

Bacterial QualityBacterial Quality Chemical Chemical

StandardsStandards Physical Physical

StandardsStandards

BACTERIAL QUALITYBACTERIAL QUALITY

On any 3 consecutive dechlorinated On any 3 consecutive dechlorinated samples of the pool water:samples of the pool water:

None with more than 200 bacteria per None with more than 200 bacteria per milliliter.milliliter.

Average of 3 not exceed 100 bacteria.Average of 3 not exceed 100 bacteria. 60% of the 10 milliliter sample shall 60% of the 10 milliliter sample shall

give a negative test for coliform give a negative test for coliform bacteria; no sample positive for coliform bacteria; no sample positive for coliform in 3 of 5 ten milliliter portionsin 3 of 5 ten milliliter portions

CHEMICAL QUALITYCHEMICAL QUALITY

Free chlorine with D.P.D. test not less Free chlorine with D.P.D. test not less than 1.0 ppm nor more than 3.0 ppm.than 1.0 ppm nor more than 3.0 ppm.

pH not less than 7.2 nor more than pH not less than 7.2 nor more than 7.8.7.8.

During heavy bather load, During heavy bather load, disinfection residuals maintained at disinfection residuals maintained at the upper limits of the permissible the upper limits of the permissible range.range.

PHYSICAL STANDARDSPHYSICAL STANDARDS

Free of sediment, dirt, slime, algae.Free of sediment, dirt, slime, algae.

PHYSICAL STANDARDSPHYSICAL STANDARDS

Free of scum and floating debris. Water maintained free of turbidity.

TESTS & RECORDSTESTS & RECORDS

All pools shall be equipped with All pools shall be equipped with approved test equipment to determine approved test equipment to determine pH and disinfectant residual.pH and disinfectant residual.

The pool operator shall record the The pool operator shall record the results in the Daily operating records.results in the Daily operating records.

Determination of free chlorine residual Determination of free chlorine residual shall be by the D.P.D. method (or shall be by the D.P.D. method (or other approved method).other approved method).

Design Standards: Design Standards: SemipublicSemipublic

Water depths durably marked on Water depths durably marked on the walls.the walls.

Visible in or out of the water.Visible in or out of the water. Markings at change of shallow Markings at change of shallow

portion to deepest portion marked.portion to deepest portion marked. Depth markers 4 inch minimum Depth markers 4 inch minimum

height and contrasting colors/height and contrasting colors/