Chemical Injuries at Aquatic Facilities
2014: 26 people hospitalized after being exposed to chlorine gas at a waterpark in Michigan.
2015: 34 children exposed to chlorine gas at a community pool. 2018: 19 people hospitalized after chemical exposure at a swim school. 2018: 22 people exposed to chlorine gas at Disneyland Paris hotel swimming pool. 2020: 23 people ill from chemical exposure at community pool in New Jersey.
2021: 20 people exposed to chlorine gas at Tennessee waterpark. 2021: 21 children transported to hospital after pool chemical exposure in Wisconsin.
2021: 60 people suffered toxic chemical exposure at a Texas waterpark.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention):
Toxic chlorine gas releases at public aquatic venues can be prevented by regular testing of chemical control failsafe features, proper training of aquatic facility staff members, and by following standardized policies and procedures, including evacuating bathers from the pool before a recirculation pump is restarted.
Owners and operators of aquatic facilities have multiple avenues for learning and refreshing their knowledge on how to handle, store, and dispense chemicals safely. Pool operators may rely on training from the companies who install chemical treatment systems, safety literature from manufacturers of chemical equipment, and certification courses, such as AFO (Aquatic Facility Operator) from the National Recreation and Park Association, or CPO (Certified Pool Operator) from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
But knowledge is just the first step in preventing chemical incidents at aquatic facilities. Consistent, proper action, which includes regular monitoring and/or testing of chemical feed system flow switches, along with ensuring that mechanical interlocks are functional, should be part of regular inspections by operators of aquatic facilities.
If water treatment is outsourced to a third party, such as a pool management company, it is important to ensure that the contractor installs all necessary fail-safe equipment for the chemical feed system. Their staff must be properly trained to monitor and test safety interlocks, and to perform regular inspections of the other components of the circulation system that can interfere with proper dosing, and result in distribution of hazardous chemicals.
Regular maintenance must be scheduled so that pumps that circulate water through aquatic attractions (e.g. swimming pools, hot tubs, etc.) are not manually shut down and restarted when patrons are present. When an unplanned shut down occurs, typically due to a power outage, patrons should be evacuated from the aquatic facility until all components of the circulation system can be safely brought back online and chemical tests have been performed to ensure the facility is safe to re-enter.
Like everything else, chemical equipment degrades over time and must be periodically repaired or replaced. Failing to have a reliable preventive maintenance program established, with calendared equipment rehab or replacement dates, can result in serious injuries. Further, replacing circulation system components with off-the-shelf rather than OEM parts can lead to failure of the entire system and result in severe, life threatening injuries to patrons and staff.
Pool Chemical Safety Protocols
In addition to mechanical system failure, basic human error can also create a very dangerous condition. For a distracted delivery driver or onsite employee trying to keep up with excess workload, refilling the wrong vat with a non-compatible chemical when chemical containers aren’t properly marked is easy to do and can quickly lead to disaster. Industry standards require that chemical containers are properly labeled and display readily visible warnings. In some jurisdictions, statutes require that incompatible chemicals be stored in separate, locked rooms.
Failing to follow applicable regulations and aquatic industry safety practices increases the risk that a chemical incident will occur. For this reason, thorough training is necessary for anyone tasked with handling, storing, or transporting hazardous chemicals, and why some states require that training be repeated on a regular basis.