Safety concerns for commercial pool operators

SwimRight Pool Service contractors perform commercial swimming pool service

Hotels, school pool, apartment complexes and townhouse — many of these offer swimming pools for use by residents and guests. That’s great — especially in Arizona where triple digit temperatures are becoming the normal temperature in the summer. Safety concerns for commercial pool operators are escalated simply because there are so many people in and out of the pool and that amps up the safety concerns.

A commercial swimming pool requires skill and knowledge to service and maintain and it’s a more delicate balancing act because of the sheer volume of people who use the pool.

Safety concerns for commercial pool operators

In addition to actualy safety — safe use of the diving board and slide and assuring that no one gets injured or drowns in the pool, safety also includes keeping the water in the commercial pool clean and bacteria-free. Safety has to be front of mind when you’re managing a commercial swimming pool and caring for a pool is a task that requires skill and knowledge that not everyone who works on commercial pools has.

Here are safety concerns that face commercial pool operators:

1. The Virginia Graeme Baker Act or the Access and Disabilities Act — this is meant to assure the pool’s main drain is properly covered so it won’t pose a safety hazard. The pool needs to be equipped wtih a VGB certified compliant main drain cover.
2. A lifeguard needs to be on premises and in proximity to the pool at all times, when it’s open and available for resident use. Commercial pool safety products are on the market and you can ask us which ones you need ot have, and where. We can also inspect the safety tools you have on hand to assure they are up to code. You will need, at a minimum, life vests, life rings, telescoping poles, a life hook and others.
3. A staff member, who is stationed poolside, should know CPR. There should be more than one person who knows CPR.
4. Water depth markers. The water depth needs to be clearly delinated. You can use vinyl stick ons or depths can be permanently marked on the tiles. Make certain ther are signs and a rope with floats attached to mark where the water goes from shallow to deep.
5. Diving board safety. Some commercial pools have diving boards, but don’t allow diving (for fear of head injuries) but they do allow people to jump from the diving board into the pool. The rules should be clearly spelled out and the lifeguard needs to monitor them and assure the rules are being followed.

Clean, bacteria-free commercial swimming pool water is a must but on site and in pool safety needs to always be front of mind. Ask us for advice on commercial pool safety and water maintenance.