Tag Archives: Pool and Spa Safety

by | May 2, 2010 · 5:41 am

Hotel Spa Pool Safety Tips: Water Clarity And Cleaning Is Vital To Minimizing Health Risks

“…Many of the outbreaks related to swimming pools would have been prevented or reduced if the pool had been well managed….”

“….these challenges can be met through a combination of the following factors:

  • treatment (to remove particulates, pollutants and microorganisms), including filtration and disinfection (to remove/inactivate infectious microorganisms);
  • pool hydraulics (to ensure effective distribution of disinfectant throughout the pool, good mixing and removal of contaminated water);
  • addition of fresh water at frequent intervals (to dilute substances that cannot be removed from the water by treatment);
  • cleaning (to remove biofilms from surfaces, sediments from the pool floor and particulates adsorbed to filter materials);
  • and ventilation of indoor pools (to remove volatile disinfection by-products and radon).

(From a FreeDrinkingWater.com article)  Controlling clarity, the most important water quality criterion, involves adequate water treatment, including filtration. The control of pathogens is typically achieved by a combination of circulation of pool water through treatment (normally requiring some form of filtration plus disinfection) and the application of a chemical residual disinfectant to inactivate microorganisms introduced to the pool itself by, for instance, bathers. As not all infectious agents are killed by the most frequently used residual disinfectants, and as circulation through the physical treatment processes is slow, it is necessary to minimize accidental faecal releases and vomit (and to respond effectively to them when they occur) and to minimize the introduction of bather-shed organisms by pre-swim hygiene.

http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water_health/health1/1-public-health-hazards-public-swimming-pools.htm

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by | April 29, 2010 · 6:27 am

Hotel Pool Safety: Kids’ Clubs Represent An Important Hotel Amenity But Quality Control Is A Must To Reduce Risk

Kids’ clubs are an important hotel amenity for traveling families, often giving parents a much-needed break while kids are engaged.

But the challenge is there are no standard industry best practices followed for kids’ clubs and quality can be unpredictable.

(From a PeterGreenberg.com posting)    A hotel with a well-run kids program can be worth its weight in gold, especially for parents looking to spend some vacation time without worrying about the kids. However, many hotel kids’ programs include swimming as a group activity. Different hotels determine their own rules, which means as a participating family, it is up to you to gauge if the program meets your criteria for safety.

In the discussion, each family travel writer outlined his or her priorities and views around swimming safety in a hotel environment. There were a few points that came up again and again.

  • Child-to-instructor ratios
  • 4-to-1 is the magic number for child-to-instructor ratios.
  • Instructor training

Everyone agrees that instructors need to be CPR certified. Is this enough?

I’d argue that this is sufficient only in cases where 4-to-1 ratios are followed without exception. Otherwise, it’s necessary to have lifeguards present at the pool watching the water without distractions, i.e., they are not engaged in any unrelated parent and/or child communication and without any electronic devices.

http://www.petergreenberg.com/2010/04/27/are-hotel-kids%E2%80%99-club-swimming-sessions-safe/

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by | April 27, 2010 · 6:47 am

Hotel Swimming Pool Water Health Risks: Maintaining Pool Equipment And Water Quality, Including Cleaning Pool Decks Daily, Can Help Reduce Health Hazards

Swimming pool water care involves you cleaning your pool deck and walkways at least once a day. This will help in keeping contaminants from entering into your pool or spa water. Additionally, maintaining good water quality and eliminating non-enteric waterborne illnesses, require daily swimming pool cleaning.

(From a Swimming-Pool-Care.com article)   Some waterborne illnesses are caused by non-enteric pathogens. These pathogens can be found in poorly maintained swimming pools and spas. Because of these potential health hazards, your swimming pool equipment and your water quality, should be checked constantly. This is a daily requirement.Non-enteric pathogens that are usually found in poorly maintained swimming pools include:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is an opportunistic pathogen that causes infection of the respiratory system. It can also cause dermatitis and infections of the soft tissues in the body.Pseudomonas pathogens are usually found in a biofilm environment. Biofilm is normally found in the circulation system of your swimming pools and spas. This pathogen can tolerate a variety of physical conditions and it is highly resistant to antibiotics. 

Symptoms that are associated with pseudomonas aeruginosa!

Symptoms for this particular form of waterborne illnesses that are found in pools, are as follows:

  • Itchy skin. 
  • Bumpy rashes that are tender to the touch and appear reddish in color. 
  • Puss filled blisters that usually form around your hair follicles. The reason for this, is due to the fact that infection of pseudomonas usually forms in the hair follicles.

Other non-enteric pathogens that are found in pools and spas!

When the circulation system for your swimming pools and spas are poorly maintained, non-enteric pathogens are developed. These include:

  • Mycobacterium spp. 
  • Staphylococius aureus. 
  • Leptospira interrogans. 
  • Trichophyton spp. 
  • Epidmerophyton floccosum. this pathogen usually is the cause for dermic or respiratory infections. 
  • Acanthamoeba spp. 
  • Human papilloma virus. 
  • Legionella pneumophila. This particular type of waterborne illness, is commonly referred to as legionellosis or legionnaires disease. This is a severe case of pneumonia. Sadly this bacteria exist in poorly maintained spas and is transmitted through the mist that is common with this type of environment.Legionella pneumophila cause two different types of diseases. The first is called legionnaires disease, as was mentioned earlier. This my friend is the more severe form of the waterborne illnesses. The next stage of this infection, is called pontiac fever. Fortunately for us, this is the more milder side of the disease.Proper disinfectant levels in your spa, along with frequent maintenance of your filter, are critical steps necessary to control these bacteria. 
  • Molluscipox virus. This is a virus that causes molluscum contogiosum. Molluscum contogiosum is a common skin infection that is not serious. It will clear up on its own, without any form of treatment. Nevertheless the condition could take up to several months before it clears but there are no long term effects it. 
  • Verrucas. This infection, is commonly known as plantar warts. Waterborne illnesses of this type are usually acquired through direct contact with pool decks and locker room floors which have been contaminated. Contamination of these surfaces, are usually caused by skin fragments that are the cause of the infections.The skin fragments which are shed by other users, are normally infected with causative papliomavirus. Ordinarily, preventing plantar warts is achieved through regular cleaning and maintenance of your swimming pool decks and locker room floors. 
  • Athlete’s foot. This is a ringworm infection that is caused by dermatophyte fungi. A very itchy scale between the toes is indication of this infection. Athlete’s foot is contracted in the same manner as plantar warts.Infections is again from infected skin fragments that have the dermatophyte fungi. Individuals with severe cases of this condition, should not be allowed to use your recreational water facility. This will eliminate infection of other users. 

http://www.swimming-pool-care.com/waterborne-illnesses.html

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by | April 26, 2010 · 6:57 am

Hospitality Industry Pool Safety: Hotel Owners Must Comply With Federal Pool And Spa Safety Act Provisions

President George W. Bush signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act on Dec. 18, 2007, which requires public pools and spas to be equipped with safety devices to prevent such accidents.

The drain covers are designed to prevent someone from covering the entire drain and becoming entrapped. Suction-limiting devices are installed in the pool’s plumbing system and cause the pool’s motor to shut off if pressure rises in the piping, as it does in the case of a blocked drain.


(From an RRStar.com article)  In June 2002, a 7-year-old Virginia Graeme Baker found herself trapped against a hot tub floor drain. She was held under water until she drowned.

The suction created by the hot tub motor was so strong it required two men to free her from the bottom of the pool.

President George W. Bush signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act on Dec. 18, 2007, which requires public pools and spas to be equipped with safety devices to prevent such accidents.

After May 1, swimming pools and whirlpools that do not meet the new safety standards will not be permitted to operate. The law applies to pools operated by the Rockford Park District, the YMCA, the school districts and community centers — most of which are or soon will be in compliance.

The federal mandate is being enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Illinois Department of Public Health, which regulates and renews licensing for swimming pools and whirlpool operations.

The law, named for the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker, requires all pool drains to be equipped with anti-entanglement drain covers or suction-limiting devices.

http://www.rrstar.com/carousel/x1394807857/Rockford-area-pools-undergo-construction-to-comply-with-law

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