Published by FM Online Professional / August 2016
http://www.fmonline.co.uk/press-release-article/Is-the-disconnect-between-poolside-and-operational-staff-compromising-pool-water-safety/
http://www.fmonline.co.uk/press-release-article/Is-the-disconnect-between-poolside-and-operational-staff-compromising-pool-water-safety/
Is the disconnect between poolside and operational staff compromising pool water safety?
Airmec argues for better communication in FMOnline
The introduction of HSG274 Part 4 from April 2016, has reminded us all of the need for spa pool and leisure operators to ensure their legionella risk assessments are undertaken. The 2006 PHE/HSE publication Management of Spa Pools has been updated and forms the new Part 4.
But what happens after the assessment? One of the biggest risks is lack of communication. The different working patterns and practices mean that there is often little interface between poolside staff and the facilities managers and engineering teams. This can lead to mistaken assumptions about who does what and can increase the risk of mistakes and omissions.
Joined up thinking between estates and ‘front of house’ staff minimises risk and swimming pool and spa owners should include staff communications in their annual reviews of water safety.
“We have often seen a disconnect between poolside operational staff and ‘back room’ technical teams, even for very small pools, and our aim is to bridge that gap,” said Airmec managing director Andrew Steel.
“Unless each has knowledge of what the other does, and a clear understanding of their own specific responsibilities, there is a risk of errors and omissions. The most likely omissions are correct logging of incidents and how they have been resolved – and that alone could be quite sufficient to attract an expensive intervention by enforcing bodies, local authorities and the HSE.”
Water treatment regimes and systems are critical and complex, involving issues like bather load and turnover, and they are inextricably linked with the need for adequate ventilation.
All of this calls for special expertise, and practical guidance on managing water quality and treatment has been drawn up by the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG).
In practice, the HSE enforcing authorities - local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive itself - consider the PWTAG Code of Practice as the standard to be achieved in effectively managed swimming pools.
A key PWTAG recommendation is that pool managers should review their water safety plan, swimming pool water treatment system and the pool hall ventilation, heating and electrical system (SPTO) at least annually and, Airmec’s Andrew Steel believes these plans should take a leaf out of the healthcare premises’ book and be holistic, involving all staff in monitoring and record keeping.
The PWTAG Code of Practice provides pool operators with a structured plan for the technical operation of their pool. It is under constant review and was most recently updated in May 2015.
Rather than just ticking the compliance boxes, a third party Swimming Pool Treatment & Plant Management Review can help to ensure operators are up to speed with these latest PWTAG guidelines.
It can also identify opportunities for improvements in effective working practices by focussing, perhaps for the first time, on the roles and responsibilities within the organisation.
Airmec argues for better communication in FMOnline
The introduction of HSG274 Part 4 from April 2016, has reminded us all of the need for spa pool and leisure operators to ensure their legionella risk assessments are undertaken. The 2006 PHE/HSE publication Management of Spa Pools has been updated and forms the new Part 4.
But what happens after the assessment? One of the biggest risks is lack of communication. The different working patterns and practices mean that there is often little interface between poolside staff and the facilities managers and engineering teams. This can lead to mistaken assumptions about who does what and can increase the risk of mistakes and omissions.
Joined up thinking between estates and ‘front of house’ staff minimises risk and swimming pool and spa owners should include staff communications in their annual reviews of water safety.
“We have often seen a disconnect between poolside operational staff and ‘back room’ technical teams, even for very small pools, and our aim is to bridge that gap,” said Airmec managing director Andrew Steel.
“Unless each has knowledge of what the other does, and a clear understanding of their own specific responsibilities, there is a risk of errors and omissions. The most likely omissions are correct logging of incidents and how they have been resolved – and that alone could be quite sufficient to attract an expensive intervention by enforcing bodies, local authorities and the HSE.”
Water treatment regimes and systems are critical and complex, involving issues like bather load and turnover, and they are inextricably linked with the need for adequate ventilation.
All of this calls for special expertise, and practical guidance on managing water quality and treatment has been drawn up by the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG).
In practice, the HSE enforcing authorities - local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive itself - consider the PWTAG Code of Practice as the standard to be achieved in effectively managed swimming pools.
A key PWTAG recommendation is that pool managers should review their water safety plan, swimming pool water treatment system and the pool hall ventilation, heating and electrical system (SPTO) at least annually and, Airmec’s Andrew Steel believes these plans should take a leaf out of the healthcare premises’ book and be holistic, involving all staff in monitoring and record keeping.
The PWTAG Code of Practice provides pool operators with a structured plan for the technical operation of their pool. It is under constant review and was most recently updated in May 2015.
Rather than just ticking the compliance boxes, a third party Swimming Pool Treatment & Plant Management Review can help to ensure operators are up to speed with these latest PWTAG guidelines.
It can also identify opportunities for improvements in effective working practices by focussing, perhaps for the first time, on the roles and responsibilities within the organisation.
- A comprehensive third party review should cover:
- monitoring procedures and associated log books,
- training awareness and competencies
- a review of all associated records and documentation for preventive and corrective actions ,
- operational procedures,
- planned maintenance, and
- emergency procedures and response to incidents.