NOT A GRAPHIC ANY ORGANIZATION WOULD WANT TO SEE ON THE NEWS
Many educational institutions, both public and private, have
swimming pools and they are a vital part of the school community. Whether they
are used for swim teams, swimming lessons (essential life skill), or other
appropriate aquatic activities they are important to the educational process. There are hazards associated with pools that
schools need to assess to first protect LIFE, next protect School Operations
(including aquatic activities), and then protect the School Facility (safe use
of the pool facility).
RISK MITIGATION: There are enhanced RISKS associated with a school pool that
can be mitigated if you are aware of the Hazards. Those hazards are drowning; shallow water blackout (hyperventilating and then holding breath during long underwater swims); slips, trips, and falls (running around a pool with wet tile); diving into shallow water, electrocution concerns,
chemical hazards in particular unique to chlorine (too much chlorine in the
water as an irritant or chlorine gas which can be deadly). During World War
One, chlorine gas was purposefully used in gas warfare so the unintended
creation of chlorine gas in a confined area can have fatal and legal
consequences.
RISK MANAGEMENT: Having an All Hazard Risk Assessment for school pool operations is the key to protecting LIFE, SCHOOL OPERATIONS, and SCHOOL FACILITY. Assessing and educating all to the risks, developing a strategy (education, training, equipment) to mitigate those specific risks, and then assessing that mitigation process as a part of your school's preparedness culture is key.
HAZMAT POOL RELATED INCIDENT: FRUITLAND TOWNSHIP, Michigan: On July 11, 2014, the release of chlorine gas
from the pool area at Michigan Adventure, a water and amusement park sent 28
people — 18 guests and 10 lifeguards — to the hospital. No severe injuries were
reported as the exposure appeared to be minimal. Those taken to the hospital
suffered respiratory issues, including mild irritation to the nose ears and
lungs. Sixty Two other people are being medically evaluated caused dozens of
others to require care on Friday afternoon. Those taken to the hospital, Mercy
Health Muskegon, were treated and released said the hospital’s chief medical
officer.
CAUSE OF HAZARD: Muskegon County Hazmat official told media
sources that two pool chemicals were mixed, causing a chlorine gas cloud. Authorities
said the chlorine release was under control late Friday afternoon. A Hazmat
official said it was too early to speculate on what caused it, and park
employees are investigating. In severe cases, those who come into contact with
chlorine could develop a lung condition requiring supported ventilation, but he
did not believe that would be necessary in this case. However, the effects of
chemical exposure can be delayed, and as a precaution, he warned people to watch
for wheeziness and shortness of breath, particularly in children.
MASS CASUALTY HAZMAT MUTUAL AID RESPONSE: Hazmat officials
said the people who came into contact with the chlorine were quickly moved to a
decontamination area in the parking lot, and given the circumstances, the
process went very smoothly. Authorities
brought in a FIRE DEPARTMENT HAZMAT DECONTAMINATION large shower to rinse off
people who came into contact with the chlorine. Multiple fire trucks, law
enforcement officials and ambulances rushed to the scene around 3:30 p.m. A
large shower was brought to the parking lot to help people who had come into
contact with the chlorine rinse off, according a First Responder from the Whitehall
Rescue unit.
The rest of the park remained open Friday afternoon as a Hazmat team went to test chlorine levels in the pool where the release
occurred. A spokesperson for the park
said that it will be open for normal operation Saturday. (Note: If the officials aren't sure of the cause of the Chlorine release, why would they open up the pool section of the park...????? Here is where parents need to think for themselves.)
RECOVERY: There is always the tendency to overlook the Recovery Phase from any incident because so much energy, emotion, and adrenaline goes into the response. Recovery is the key to returning to safe and secure living. Recovery also reinforces that the system and / or institution legitimately cares about what happened and about who was affected by the incident. The direct victims of an incident are not the only ones affected by an incident. Other affected may be: family members of victims, future customers, or students, parents determining will I let my kids go to that amusement park or school trip, etc.
Points for Consideration:
- Could this happen at your school's pool?
- Some school's use another facility for their aquatic activities does that change your school's responsibility or accountability?
- Is there a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between school's if the pool is a shared use facility.
- What if this was a school trip to a water park, how would your school trip advisers and approved trip chaperons handle this incident?
- Other than the parents of the victims, who is establishing a recovery plan and services for this incident?
- Prevention: Are there any local, state, or federal laws pertaining to safe school pool operation?
- Connecticut State Law (Click Link)
- Does your school board of education know its role in school pool safety?
- Is there a school pool safety plan? (Click Link)
It is about Preparation, Not Paranoia...
enjoy your school pool
but make sure you are doing it safely
and professionally.
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