Checklist for Aquatic Liability
Roy Fielding, UNC Charlotte
Volume 4 Issue 2 (2001)

This checklist is one that I use at my facilities but it is not a comprehensive checklist for everyone. While there are liabilities that are inherently universal in the aquatic industry, there are liabilities and potential harzards that are endemic to a particular facility.

The Aquatic Professional
1. Obtain certification in as many aquatic areas as possible.
2. Continue education by attending conferences, courses, and so on.
3. Maintain personal skill levels to current certification standards.
4. Keep up-to-date with current aquatic trends.

Aquatic Facility Design
1. Correct any identifiable safety problems due to the facility.
2. Post rules and regulations required by state and local codes, and additional rules that are site specific. Enforce all rules at all times.
3. Follow all codes regarding depth markings.
4. Use universal and multilingual signage throughout the facility.

Aquatic Equipment
1. Keep all equipment in good repair.
2. Follow all state and local codes regarding safety equipment.
3. Maintain proper lighting at indoor and outdoor night swimming pools.
4. Maintain equipment data sheets and maintenance records.
5. Develop and follow proper procedures for using aquatic equipment.
6. Adopt an on going maintenance plan and procedures.

Lifeguards
1. Two certified lifeguards must be on duty at anytime.
2. Add addition lifeguards according to size of pool and/or bather load.
3. All CPR, first aid, and lifeguarding certifications must be current.
4. Establish bather-load capacity using state and local codes.
5. Require in-service training for all current lifeguards.
6. Enforce pool rules consistently at all times.
7. Enforce no diving in less than 5 feet of water.
8. Require lifeguard uniforms and whistles at all times.
9. Maintain a bloodborne pathogens training program for aquatic staff.

Emergency and Incident Procedures
1. Maintain accurate incident reports.
2. Conduct in-service training for every possible emergency and incident.
3. Post all emergency phone numbers and script near all facility telephones.
4. Contact local EMS to discuss emergency action plans and potential emergencies and routes for all emergencies.
5. Post written emergency response procedures for lifeguards, maintenance personnel, and other staff members.
6. Material safety data sheets available for all chemicals at the facility.
7. Maintain a bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan.
8. Develop a emergency action plan for hazardous materials.
9. Have and use the proper safety equipment.

Pool Water Chemistry
1. Maintain a filtration rate of a 6 hour turnover for pools, 2 to 4 hour turn- over for wading pools, and 30 minute turnover for spas.
2. Maintain swimming pool water temperature between 78o-88o F, and spas should not exceed 105oF.
3. Use the Langlier Saturation Index or Rynzar Index when balancing water chemistry.
4. Maintain indoor pool air temperature 3oF above water temperature.
5. Perform bacteriological water tests weekly.
6. Maintain daily water test logs.
7. Start each season with new test reagents.
8. Follow water test kits procedures exactly.
9. Close swimming pool if you cannot clearly see the bottom of the pool.
10. Maintain a minimum free chlorine residual of 1.0 ppm for pools and 3.0 ppm for spas. pH readings should be maintained between 7.4 to 7.6.

Facility Manual
1. Maintain and update as necessary a complete operation manual.
2. A manual should contain all policies related to staff personnel.
3. A manual should contain operational procedures for the facility.
4. A manual should contain forms for logging information on operation.
5. A manual should contain complete facility safety plans and programs.

Americans with Disabilities Act
1. Meet all standards related to ADA and you facility.
2. Conduct employee training related to ADA policies.