3 Hazard Communication & Materials for Pool Pros  

 A sneak peek at Lauren Broom’s presentation from the International Pool Spa Patio Co-located with Deck Expo. Lauren Broom B.S., R.S., is a PHTA® CPO® Instructor, and authorized OSHA 10 Trainer in General Industry.

Each year pool operators and maintenance staff suffer injuries and illnesses due to occupational exposure to chemicals used within the aquatic workplace. These injuries and illnesses may be reduced or removed if proper procedures and training were provided to the aquatics staff. Over the past years, new media reports show a significant number of fires, toxic vapor releases, and personnel injuries in which pool chemicals were a factor in the incident. 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.  

Employer Training 

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 in their workplace.  It 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.  

Looking for More? Lauren Broom and hundreds of other pool experts will be at the International Pool Spa Patio Co-located Expo on November 12-14, presenting topics ranging from hazards to marketing to increasing profitability. There is still time to register and sign up for Laurens class and unlock the  rest of her session which includes tips on Emergency Action Plans, Engineering Controls and more!

Register at https://www.poolspapatio.com/

See Laurens sessions here: https://ge24psp.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/speaker-details.cfm?speakerid=189