Don’t Want HAZMAT, Have A Pool Chemical Safety Plan

Saskatchewan hotels make guests feel at home by offering a variety of amenities, often including a swimming pool. Did you know maintaining a swimming pool can be VERY dangerous for EMPLOYEES?

What do we mean by VERY dangerous? Pool areas include many hazards that are often overlooked, particularly pool chemicals. Not only is the potential for injury severe, pool chemical incidents are often high-profile and impact a business’s reputation in a negative way. All employers must ensure their employees’ health and safety and identify the hazards they may be exposed to or risk life-threatening injuries or even a fatality.

Assess the RISK in pool chemicals!

Hotels often ensure employees have their pool operator’s course and have taken general Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training. Is that all that is needed? ABSOLUTELY NOT! General safety training is only the beginning. All employees also require ‘site-specific’ training to know: What are the hazards at that location? What controls to reduce risk are in place? Where is the WHMIS safety data sheet binder, and who keeps it up to date? What personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling chemicals? Where is the eyewash station located? …and the list goes on. 

Having a pool chemical safety plan is essential for the health and safety of employees and guests, and you can take steps to make this happen today!

1. Have Safe Work Procedures for testing the pool chemical levels, adding pool chemicals, or switching the self-feed lines.

2. Ensure employees are trained on the site-specific chemicals and proper use, storage and handling by someone who is trained.

3. Ensure up-to-date WHMIS safety data sheets for the chemicals in the pool area.

4. Ensure an up-to-date Eye Wash Station appropriate for the chemicals used in the area.

5. Ensure employees have access to chemical-resistant gloves, gowns, and other required PPE.

6. Where respirators are required, ensure the proper storage of the respirators, and provide fit testing for employees who use respirators.

7. Ensure chemicals are stored appropriately and properly dispose of used containers.

Also

• Have your Occupational Health and Safety Committee inspect the pool area more than once yearly – consider quarterly.

• Communicate the importance of pool safety in person, at meetings, in safety chats and in memos. Ensure employees are reporting ALL incidents and near misses so corrective action can be taken BEFORE a serious injury or fatality.

Need help with your pool chemical safety plan? Reach out to a Service Hospitality Safety Advisor today to ensure your pool area is safe for your employees and guests.