By Lauren Broom Hazard Communication & Materials for the Aquatic Professional
Each year pool operators and maintenance staff suffer injuries and illnesses due to exposure to chemicals used within the aquatic workplace. These injuries and illnesses may be reduced or removed if proper procedures and training were provided staff.
Over the past years, news media reports show a significant number of fires, toxic vapor releases, and personnel injuries in which pool chemicals were a factor. There are several pool chemicals, especially those that are classified as class 3 oxidizers, that can potentially be highly reactive and capable of generating high temperatures, as well as releasing toxic vapors if improperly handled or stored.
Safe handling, mixing, and storing of pool chemicals is necessary to prevent unintentional chemical exposures to employees.
Employers have responsibilities under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) of OSHA to provide training to their employees about the potential hazards as it relates to hazardous materials within the workplace. Training should include: proper handling and storage of all pool chemicals, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and use Hazard Communication Plan (HCP).
Hazard Communication Documents
The Hazard Communication Program (HCP) (also known as HazCom) aims to protect people from injuries and illnesses associated with using hazardous chemicals in their workplace. People have the right to know and understand the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to. The program requires all employers to provide information and training to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced into their workplace.
These are the five key elements of the Hazard Communication Standard. They are: chemical inventory, written program, labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and training. The first element of the Hazard Communication Standard is for employers to develop inventories of all the hazardous chemicals they have at their worksite. Once that inventory has been completed, then the employer shall obtain SDSs for all these chemicals and make them available to all employees. The SDS is a part of the written program. Employees shall be trained in the written program.
Safety Data Sheets
An SDS (formerly known as MSDS) includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemicals. Employers shall provide current SDSs for all chemicals that an employee may be exposed to within their workplace.
Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a written document required by particular OSHA standards. The purpose of an EAP is to help facilitate and organize employer and employee actions
Lauren Broom is a Certified Pool Operator Course, CPO
, instructor and a former health inspector for the Florida Department of Health. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and is a registered sanitarian.
She has 16-years of experience in commercial pool inspections and waterborne disease outbreak investigations.
Lauren lives in Palm Bay, Florida with her husband of 17 years and their 3 children.
Lauren can be reached at spacecoastpoolschool@yahoo.com
Employee Training
Lauren Broom during workplace emergencies. The EAP should cover what the employer and employee requirements are during the emergency. Employers shall train all employees on the requirements within the EAP and how to react within their specific workplace.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The employer shall ensure availability and easy access to PPE for all employees. SDSs for each chemical provide guidance on the specific PPE that should be worn while handling that chemical.
Employers and employees shall maintain PPE in good condition and kept clean. Employers shall provide at minimum for chemical handling: chemical goggles, liquid-impervious gloves, and boots.
If employees have extended or frequent chemical handling activity, then it is advised to add a face shield and liquid-impervious apron or coveralls to the minimum equipment. When airborne chemicals or dust may be present, it is highly recommended that the employer provide employees with a National Institute for Occupational Health & Safety (NIOSH) approved air-purifying respirator.
The basic concept behind engineering controls is for the employer to provide a workplace designed to eliminate hazards or reduce exposure to hazards. The basic construction of chemical storage and pool equipment rooms is the first item an employer should look at under engineering controls.
Do the chemical storage areas include spill containment for pool chemicals that may leak? Spill containment is an engineering control that helps to remove improper mixing of chemicals due to leaks and the release of these chemicals in the environment.
Chemical safety equipment is another engineering control that employers can provide to their employees. Equipment may include safety showers and eye wash stations. Eyewash stations are especially needed in the event of a chemical spill to help flush any hazardous chemicals from the eyes and faces of exposed employees. This is important because, depending on the type of chemical, exposure can cause serious harm if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes for an extended period. The water in the eyewash station helps dilute and flush any harmful particles that may be present on the skin or in the eyes, significantly reducing the risk of injury or illness. Fire suppression equipment and proper fire extinguishers for chemical fires are engineering controls that an employer can have installed for employees to use in an emergency. Employers may consult their local fire department or code enforcement agency for further guidance.
Chemical storage rooms and pool equipment rooms shall be properly ventilated meeting American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. Separate air-handling systems for chemical storage areas and pool equipment rooms is recommended. Accidental chlorine gas emissions can occur in an aquatic facility. They occur when the electrical interlock between the pool water circulation pump and the liquid chemical feed system is lacking, improperly installed, or simply fails. An electrical interlock automatically deactivates the chlorine/pH feed pumps when there is no or low flow in the pool recirculation system. The employer could also install an alarm that activates to alert employees if the pool recirculation pump shuts down.
Safe Pool Chemical Handling & Storage
Always….
• Read manufacturer instructions on chemical labels.
• Store all chemicals in original manufacturer-labeled containers.
• Provide SDS sheets for all chemicals within the workplace.
• Provide training on proper chemical handling and storage with all employees.
• Add chemicals to water, never water to the chemical.
• Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Properly ventilate chemical storage areas and pump rooms.
• Avoid chemicals from mixing.
• Store incompatible chemicals away from each other.
• Keep food and drinks out of chemical storage and pool equipment rooms.
• Keep pool chemicals in a dry place.
• Store flammable materials and other ignition sources away from pool chemicals and storage areas.
• Maintain good housekeeping in chemical storage areas and pool equipment rooms.
• Dispose of empty containers properly and safely, and never reuse containers.
• Provide emergency response and basic fire-fighting training to staff.
• Provide EAP that covers all emergencies related to hazardous materials.
Engineering Controls
