Lehmann Pools & Spas thinks that there is a place in the world for Pool Professionals.  It is particularly true in the world of commercial aquatics – public pools like hotels, schools, water parks, and recreation facilities.  We know that even in heavily regulated States, significant problems exist within the commercial aquatics world.  Violations of safety standards are rampant and the consequences to the public are real.  For background: CDC.

One might suspect less regulated places of the US, like Pennsylvania, may be a bit more susceptible to safety issues. Safety issues almost always get discovered when liability goes from a “risk” phase to “civil” or “criminal” liability phase following an actual occurrence.  Lehmann Pools & Spas believes that involving a Pool Professional in your aquatics facility safety process might just be a wise investment in liability protection and risk management.  With access to the resources of the National Swimming Pool Foundation, Lehmann Pools & Spas might just be another layer in your Safety Management System – the protection your need from risk and liability.

But there’s another reason to involve a Pool Professional.  Like D-I-Y homeowners, many facility operators make expensive mistakes trying to be cheap.  Some get away with it.  But, usually the errors get “found out” when costly events happen.  Equipment gets destroyed – expensive.  Inspectors find a violation – expensive.  Employee gets injured – expensive.  DOH shuts you down – expensive.  We know of a hotel chain where, if the pool is shut down for any reason, every guest gets a refund for their stay.  E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E!

We didn’t search far-and-wide for these pics.  They’re local Western Pennsylvania facilities making very expensive mistakes. What’s more is they have underlying issues that a Pool Professional would have identified and helped them correct – before the event occurred. And, we see dozens of situations like these.

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We can help.  814-266-2236.

“Stronger regulation will improve safety.” “This law will keep kids safe.” “Hiring more inspectors will improve safety.”

A recent press release from the CDC proves that safety seems to be just a buzzword in the Aquatics industry. http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0519-public-pools.html. In 5 of the most heavily regulated and frequently inspected states, 80% of facilities had at least one violation. 1 in 8 had “Immediate closure” violations. We know the industry can do far better – not through more regulation, but with the cooperation of operators and facility managers.

Safety comes through a system of multiple processes that work to make sure no single pathway exists that allows problems to go uncorrected. Safety starts with high standards – regulatory codes and industry standards.   Those standards must be followed by multiple layers, multiple checks, procedures, inspections and audits so that no single point of failure progresses to the point of violation, or worse – injury or death.

As a facility operator, it is imperative that you use a systems approach to build adequate layers to recognize deviations, catch errors, and mitigate unsafe situations rapidly – as soon as they occur. Your process must be a 360° process involving operations, finance, logistics, and executive and must include every employee level in your facility to ensure proper plan design and buy-in. It is a written plan – editable, of course, but written.

Layers include:

  • Operator and management training
  • Operating rules
  • Checklists
  • Maintenance procedures and checks
  • Qualification of facility repair personnel
  • Facility “re-open” process
  • Reporting process
  • Recordkeeping
  • Facility audits
    • Internal
    • External

Robust planning and process review will ensure your facility never has a situation that escalates to the point of violation. We recommend taking advantage of programs like those offered by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF®) to design your facility’s management system. As NSPF® Instructors, Lehmann Pools & Spas can help.

Pool Operator Class

Commercial and Public Swimming Pool Operators in PA:

Someone on your staff must be a licensed pesticide applicator – we have training available!

Learn from the pros!  PA Pesticide Applicator Pool Operator Training

Johnstown, PA

Training for PA Pool Operators

Hotel – Hospitality – School District – College – University – Camp _ Campground – Park

Meeting ID : 001CFW
Date : 04/06/2016
Time : 0800-1500
Course Sponsoring Organizations/Business : Lehmann Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Lehmann Pools & Spas
CourseName : Pool Operator
Website : www.johnstownpools.com
Course Location Name : Holiday Inn – Downtown Johnstown
Course Address : 250 Market St. Johnstown, PA 15901-2996
Category                                             Credit
00 – Core                                                 6
18 – Demonstration and Research          4

24 – Swimming Pools                              4

Pool Op Trng

Click the pic for more info!

Can you find the hazard here?  Better yet, can you find it before a Pennsylvania inspector does?

We can!  Lehmann Pools & Spas can do a comprehensive Safety Audit so that you are out in front of any hazards or potential violations at your aquatic facility.

Spot The Hazard

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Experienced Builder & Improper Choice lead to —->

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A safety audit can help you manage the risk of operating your commercial or public pool.  We service quite a number of hotel, school, and public pools and find a surprising number of equipment and installation errors.  Even “experienced” and “professional” builders and service people are making incorrect choices in their equipment specs.  And, if they spec the right equipment, we find quite a number of installation errors.

  • Non-compliant sanitizers
  • Improper feeder installations – voiding NSF® certification
  • Non-compliant drain covers – VGB violations
  • Non-ADA compliance
  • Modifications to pump and filtration systems without verification of VGB compliance
  • Non-NSF® equipment
  • Improper bonding
  • Installation errors – non-compliance with manufacturer specs

The list goes on and on.  And, we are by no means “big guys!”  So if this is what we see, then there must be tons of violations.

And, it falls back on facility owners and their liability coverage providers.

Your Risk Management solution for your aquatic facility?  A Safety Audit.

Lehmann Pools & Spas is certified by the NSPF® to conduct Facility Audits.  Protect yourself.  And, more importantly – protect your customers and clients.

814-266-2236   —–    Read more on our Facebook pages or on other pages on this site.