OSHA has a new life jacket regulation that California pool pros need to be aware of. As pool professionals in California continue to adapt to new safety regulations, one rule, in particular, has caused confusion and frustration: the requirement for pool cleaners to wear a life jacket while on the job. The regulation, known as T8 CCR 3389, was implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a means of protecting workers from drowning hazards.

OSHA: Pool Cleaners & Life Jackets Go Hand in Hand

For many pool cleaners, the idea of wearing a life jacket while performing their duties seems unnecessary and cumbersome. After all, many would argue that they typically aren’t getting in the actual pool or engaging in activities that would normally warrant the use of a flotation device.

The CPSA had the following to say about the regulations, “We were recently called by one of our larger pool service members who brought to our attention a recent interaction they had with Cal-OSHA. This company was attempting to do the right thing by scheduling a review of their safety practices to make sure they were doing everything correctly and to avoid any potential future audits and/or penalties. The pool service company confirmed that they provided goggles and gloves for their service personnel.”

Well-Intentioned But Does The Regulation Make Sense?

OSHA insists that the life jacket rule is necessary to protect workers in the event of an unforeseen accident or emergency. For example, if a pool cleaner were to slip and fall into the water, the life jacket would provide them with the buoyancy needed to stay afloat until help arrives.

Despite the well-intentioned nature of the rule, many pool professionals are struggling to understand why it is necessary and how it should be properly implemented. Some have expressed concern that the added weight and bulk of pool safety equipment like a life jacket could hinder their movement and make it more difficult to perform their tasks effectively.

Others have pointed out that there are already a number of safety measures in place to protect pool cleaners, such as the use of safety ropes and harnesses, which should be sufficient to prevent accidents.

There Are No Exceptions

Despite these concerns, OSHA has made it clear that the life jacket rule is non-negotiable and must be followed. Pool professionals who fail to comply could face fines and other penalties.

The Net Net

If an employee is required to work in an area where they may be at risk of drowning, their employer is required to equip them with a personal flotation device that has been approved for use by the United States Coast Guard. That includes people who work in the pool industry, like pool techs, repair contractors, and maintenance workers.

As a result, many pool professionals have reluctantly accepted the rule and are doing their best to comply. However, the confusion and frustration surrounding T8 CCR 3389 remain, and it will likely take some time for California’s pool industry to fully adjust to this new safety regulation.

Understanding The OSHA Life Vest Regulation

T8 CCR 3389. Life Rings and Personal Flotation Devices.

(a) Except as specified in subsection (a)(1) for marine terminal operations, at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved 30-inch life ring with not less than 90 feet of 600-pound capacity line attached shall be kept in a readily accessible place where employees’ work exposes them to the hazard of drowning or each employee so exposed shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD).

Accident Report Detail – Pool Drownings

Below is a recorded list of recorded incidents that led to the decision.

ARD Pool Drownings by Joe Trusty

Who is OSHA and do you have to follow the regulations?

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed by Congress in order to provide safe and healthy working environments. Nonetheless, as advantageous and protective as it may sound, some business owners view the organization as a relatively unscrupulous government agency, particularly in the way it disseminates information to businesses impacted by changing regulations.

The best advice for the time being, invest in some life jackets, train your personnel, and avoid a possible fine by making sure your pool business is adhering to the letter of the law.

(Alexandria, VA) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) today announced it is jumping into the waters of workforce development with its Pool Professionals Pipeline, a new program designed to help its members find workers, drive awareness amongst today’s jobseekers, and foster long-term career progression in the pool, hot tub, and aquatics industry.

“It’s no secret that many industries and businesses today are struggling to find and retain employees, and this is particularly true in trades such as ours,” says PHTA President and CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE. “Our members are looking to PHTA to help fill that gap and we’re ready for the challenge. We are incredibly excited to share this new program with our membership and give them the tools they’ll need to compete in today’s labor market while working to attract a skilled, diversified, and thriving workforce.”

Underneath the PHTA’s Pool Professionals Pipeline workforce development umbrella is its external industry awareness campaign and jobseeker website, Work in Aquatics and workinaquatics.com, launching in 2023. Work in Aquatics will seek to advocate for trade professions by highlighting the numerous advantages, training and apprenticeship opportunities, job openings, and potential career progression tracks that are available working in the pool and hot tub industry. From construction labor to lifeguards, sales representatives, entrepreneurs, and even engineers and designers, there are many industry sectors and paths along the way that PHTA wants jobseekers to explore.

“This program is a game-changer for our industry as it works to drive qualified talent to our respective businesses and our industry as a whole,” says PHTA Chairman Charlie Claffey, owner of Claffey Pools. “To be successful, we’re going to need everyone on board as we work to put the industry on the radar of those searching for an alternative path to college; a rewarding career in a healthy lifestyle environment; the ability to work away from a desk; creative freedom through modern design; and lifesaving skills through swim instruction. The possibilities that exist in the aquatics industry are endless and once you begin in this line of work, you’ll never want to walk away. Let’s share that passion with the next generation of workers.”

A steering committee comprised of PHTA members, industry partners, and PHTA staff will serve in an advisory role to help guide programming, funding, and more:

• Charlie Claffey, Claffey Pools
• Joseph Laurino, Ph.D., Periodic Products, Inc.
• Andrew Levinson, PoolCorp 
• Elizabeth McMurray, Florida Swimming Pool Association 
• Albert Miller, Hayward 
• Dominick Mondi, Northeast Spa & Pool Association  
• Kevin Post, Counsilman-Hunsaker  
• Teri Wiltshire, Master Pools Guild  
• Lisa Zarda, CAE, US Swim School Association 

Members, partners, and others interested in becoming involved in the PHTA Pool Professionals Pipeline can contact Seth Ewing, PHTA Senior Director of Member Programs & Services, at [email protected]  

Media Contact:
Amy Willer
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
703-838-0083, ext. 121 | [email protected]

CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 4, 2022 / Pinch A Penny, the nation’s largest swimming pool retail and backyard services franchise, will be the presenting sponsor of the Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships.

The Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships presented by Pinch A Penny will take place at the Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart, FL. The Class 3A Championships will be held on Friday, November 4 and the 4A Championships will take place Saturday, November 5. The Class 1A Championships will be on November 11 and the 2A Championships will take place on November 12.

Pinch A Penny is the top pool supply store in the country, providing customers with best-in-class pool chemicals, equipment, repair parts, and accessories. In addition to pool supply retail, Pinch A Penny offers ongoing maintenance and repair services, like water testing and pool service, as well as pool renovations, pressure washing, landscape lighting and more.

Earlier this year, Pinch A Penny served as a sponsor for teams from Texas and Florida teams in the Special Olympics USA Games, where more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean competed across 19 sporting events. It was part of Pinch A Penny’s charitable giving program, Be the Splash, which is a long-time partner of the Special Olympics organization.

“Pinch A Penny is excited to extend its longtime partnership with the Florida High School Athletic Association by once again sponsoring the Swimming & Diving State Championships,” said Kendall Large, Pinch A Penny’s Vice President of Marketing. “Pinch A Penny has a tremendous presence across Florida, and we’re committed to supporting the communities we serve. We look forward to a great competition in Stuart over the next two weekends and wish all of the athletes the best of luck!”

For more information about Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships presented by Pinch A Penny, please visit https://fhsaa.com/.

About Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa

Founded in 1975, Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa has grown from one store to nearly 270 locations across the Southeastern U.S. and Texas. Pinch A Penny has developed a reputation for delivering best-in-class customer service and expertise in pool care while offering the highest quality in products and supplies. These qualities have earned Pinch A Penny inclusion in top industry rankings, such as the 2021 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Business Review Top 200, Franchise Gator Top 100, and Franchise Times Top 200+, as well as Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises for Women and Top Franchises for Veterans. Additionally, Pinch A Penny was selected as the silver winner for Franchise Update’s prestigious STAR Award for Franchisee Satisfaction and named one of the Top 50 Recession-Proof Franchises by Franchise Business Review.

Taking a family approach to business, Pinch A Penny provides its customers, franchisees, and employees with all the necessary resources to carry on its tradition of quality, reliability, and expertise in a fun, family-oriented atmosphere. The brand also provides customers a one-stop-shop for all their pool and spa supply needs with complete lines of pool chemicals, equipment, as well as maintenance parts and accessories.

For more information about Pinch A Penny, please visit https://pinchapenny.com/.

Media Contact:

Kevin Behan
(919) 459-3595
[email protected]

SOURCE: Pinch A Penny