Health and Safety

Health: " Water, air and cleanliness are the chief articles in my war chest " :- Napoleon.

The vast majority of owners , operators of swimming pools or any other aquatic installation assume that a clear pool is clean and healthy.  Regular pool cleaning will clear up any dust or debris on the surface or the pool floor but the correct testing procedures often reveal inadequate levels of sanitation leading to recreational water illness (RWI ).  These RWI,s are spread by swallowing, breathing  or even by basic contact with contaminated water.

Water can be contaminated by microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses or protozoa.  The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea caused by pathogens such as Cryptosporidium ( Crypto ) Novorvirous, Shingella, Escherichia coli and Giardia.   The symptoms are wide and varying but most common are diarrhea, Otitus externa ( swimmers ear ) conjunctivitis , skin rahes /irritation .  That can all be prevented by  the correct procedures , testing and water balance within any aquatic facility.

A full list of RWI's and symptoms are available on request from info@thepoolpeople.eu

Safety: "Safety isn`t expensive, it`s priceless  !! " author unknown

The safety  surrounding aquatic installations is often overlooked as the prime concern of owners tends to be focused on cleaning.  The safety element cannot and should never be overlooked

Water is a foreign environment, and immersion into this environment is potentially dangerous for humans. Swimming and other water activities require entering this environment with a proper understanding of water safety.

Many of the chemicals used to maintain a pool or spa facility are classified as toxic and dangerous. Chemical accidents result from having chemicals on the skin, in the eyes ,  inhaling or swallowing the chemical . Operators should be trained in all aspects of handling the chemicals , administering the correct doses when required and be able to respond when chemical spills or   accidents happen..

Its not just inside the pool where safety needs to be addressed, but around the poolside with correct information on how the installation should be used , complete with clear instructions of how to deal with accidents that may occur.  Simple rules are often the most effective and should be clear for all to see.  This along with the correct safety equipment such as lifebelts and retrieval poles will ensure that the risks are kept to a minimum

The correct maintenance of pool equipment is also related to the pump house and the facility running gear such as pumps, gauges filters etc.  These must be checked on a regular basis and kept in good working order.  A faulty,clogged up pump will effect the flow rate of the water and in turn will diminish the effectiveness of the filtration system ;leading to an imbalance in the chemicals used to sanitize the pool     

Safety should not just be another element of  pool maintenance , it should be second nature .  Remember safety does not happen but accidents happen due to the lack of safety……….