Risk management plan community commercial pools

Risk management plan community commercial pools & spas operation is a Legal obligation.

The Queensland Work Place Health and Safety Act (1995) makes it abuntly clear that a Risk management plan community commercial pools & spas operation is a Legal obligation on owners and employers.  A risk management plan must be in place, in compliance with the Queensland Risk Management Code of Practice 2007 (including all supplements).

OBLIGATION HOLDERS such as Body Corporate committees, Body Corporate manager, Building manager etc., have a clear and concise obligation to ensure that a risk management plan community commercial pools is in place that addresses all major and minor incidents in and around the pool precinct.

Aadvance Swimming Pool Consultants are fully experienced in advising on a Risk Management plan for commercial pools and spas procedures and can assist obligation holders in establishing a comprehensive Risk Management Plan for commercial pools by:
  • Identifying the hazard
  • Assessing the risks that may result from major and minor incidents
  • Deciding on measures to prevent or minimize the risks
  • Implementing control measures
  • Monitoring and reviewing the efficacy of controls implemented

The Work Place Health and Safety Code of Practice 2007, including supplements 1, 2 and 3, is a mandatory regulation for all operators and owners of community (shared) pools and spas, and the obligation holders have a clear and concise “duty of care” to provide a safe environment for patrons and staff using the facilities.

CHECK LIST FOR OBLIGATION HOLDERS

  • Does the safety fence have certification by a Licensed Pool Safety Inspector?
  • Is an on-site log or register for recording results of daily chemical tests and incidents maintained?
  • Does any chemical storage comply with AS3780-1994, Storage and Handling of Dangerous Chemicals?
  • Is the pool operator certified, adequately trained, or monitored by a professional organisation?
  • Is there a written agreement between the pool operator and Body Corporate committee as to the responsibilities that each has to the other?
  • Is the Pool Water Treatment plant specific in its application for the “type of  use” and does it have the required turn-over rate as required by Law?
  • Are the installed submerged suction outlets and outlet covers compliant with the current Australian Standard 1926.3-2010?
  • Is chemical testing frequency, procedure and levels of concentration compliant with Australian Standards and State Department of Health Guidelines?
  • Is the filtration and chemical dosing equipment continuous while pool is in operation?
  • Are the safety signs informative, descriptive, and appropriate?
  • Is there a copy of the State Department of Health Guidelines, and other relevant documents on site?

If the answer to any of the above questions is “NO” or “DON’T KNOW”, then there are specific areas of risk which could benefit from further investigation and advice by an independent and professional organization such as Advance Swimming Pool Consultants.

Is there a customized, written, risk management process in place for your aquatic spaces, in the event of:
  • Finding an unconscious person in the pool, spa or surrounds?
  • Patron complaints about experiencing diarrhoea, ear infection, sore eyes, so called chlorine smell?
  • A corrosive chemical spill?
  • A suction entrapment accident?
  • Finding faeces contamination in the water?
Some interesting and pertinent facts can be extracted from the Spring 2008 edition of the Body Corporate Services Plus Magazine:
  • The courts look dimly and with disbelief upon claims of ignorance
  • Fines and penalties are in almost every case not covered by any insurance policy
  • There appears to be no exceptions to non-compliance

Don Bullock and Gordon Clarke, of AADVANCE SWIMMING POOL CONSULTANTS, having previously designed and built over 15,000 domestic and commercial swimming pools and spas, and with more than 60 years in the swimming pool industry between them, specialise in professional advice on Risk Management procedures for obligation holders of community pools and spas.