The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Stronger regulations to make swimming pools safer have been announced by Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald. Changes to the Swimming Pools and Other Water Recreational Facilities Regulation under the Public Health Act were developed after a mandatory review of the regulation and include changes that respond to recommendations from Judge Susan Devine in the Joshua Harder Inquest report issued in 2003. "These changes will help ensure that swimming pools are staffed with skilled employees and are safe places to have fun with family and friends," said Oswald. In response to the inquest recommendations, all lifeguards will be required to have the Lifesaving Society's National Lifeguard Service Award as a minimum lifeguard qualification. This requirement will be effective April 1, 2008, to provide sufficient training and retraining opportunities. Lifeguards will also be required to have a minimum of level C CPR training and assistant lifeguards will be required to have a CPR and a first-aid certificate. In addition, the minimum age for a lifeguard will be changed to 16 for individuals who have the Lifesaving Society's National Lifeguard Service Award. Previously, the minimum age required to be a lifeguard was 17. "Every year, many Manitobans are injured in swimming pools and drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of four," said Oswald. "During public meetings of the all-party Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force, we heard that water safety is of particular concern in this province and we are committed to making sure Manitobans have safe pools to swim in. Today's announcement is an initial step towards a broader plan to promote water safety across the province." The changes to the regulation also include adjustments to minimum staffing levels, the development of detailed emergency plans and improved signage for whirlpools. SWIMMING POOL SAFETY CHANGES Other regulatory changes based on the 2003 Joshua Harder Inquest report include: When only one lifeguard is on duty, a second person with first-aid and CPR training who is knowledgeable about pool emergency and operational procedures must also be on duty in the pool area. Pool operators must establish written emergency procedures and instructions for the facility including emergency contact information, the location of first-aid kits and emergency-response procedures. These instructions must be posted in a place accessible to staff and staff must be trained in how to implement them in case of an emergency. Lifeguards and assistant lifeguards on duty will be able to order people to immediately leave the pool in the event of a hazardous situation or emergency. The minimum number of lifeguards, assistant lifeguards and lifesaving stations will be increased to ensure adequate staffing levels for larger groups of swimmers. Other amendments include: changes to the required warning signs about whirlpools including a requirement that all whirlpool users keep their heads above water at all times; public and semi-public pools (e.g. apartment and hotel pools) will be required to have phones or other means of accessing emergency services; and specifications for a maximum combined chlorine residual level to help reduce eye and skin irritation while producing safe, clear water.8/24/2005
