CALIFORNIA TRIES TO PROTECT WATER FOR POOLS AND SPAS
California has passed a bill which could protect thousands of public and residential swimming pools, spas and hot tubs from being shut down. John Norwood, President of SPEC, the California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council, said the introduction of AB 2409 in the California Legislature, intended to separate pools and spas and hot tubs from the definition of being a “water feature” for purposes of use of water during drought conditions. The problem with the existing law is the definition of “water feature” includes swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. “This is a dangerous precedent,” explained Norwood. “We are concerned that this definition of “water feature” could be adopted
by local agencies for drought ordinances and inadvertently lead to all public and residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs being ordered to shut down in certain emergency situations.” Such a result could cause homeowners thousands in damage to their pools and spas. In addition, such actions would affect pool and spa service contractors, product suppliers, and thousands of public pool facilities who attract people for swimming lessons, therapy for the injured and disabled, family togetherness, and healthy activities including swimming and warm water immersion. “We just believe there should be a separate definition of pools, spas and hot tubs under this
IN BRIEF
New legislation in California might save the state’s pools from being closed down
ordinance,” added Norwood. SPEC serves as the statewide public policy representative for the pool, spa and hot tub industry.
ASBESTOS THREAT TO DECORATIVE POOL TILES
Australia’s pool industry was given a warning that some decorative wall tiles imported from China might contain asbestos. The consumer trade organisation, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was given the warning about decorative wall tiles containing Tremolite asbestos, which is a prohibited substance.
The tiles sold under the brand name Snow White, were
described as bright white in colour, with a quartz like appearance, and are made up of a number of pieces glued together to give the appearance of stacked stone.
The tiles were imported from China, and most of the product has already been withdrawn. However it is possible that some product has been installed or is still available on the market.
The ACCC was working to identify any other sources of the
product in the market and to have them withdrawn.
If discovered, the action recommended was that the affected area should be isolated until the material is removed by a licensed asbestos remover and the area cleared by an occupational hygienist. The tiles should be sealed using appropriate plastic or leak proof containers and disposed of as asbestos waste at an approved asbestos disposal facility.
CONTRACTORS TO BLAME FOR ENTRAPMENT DEATH
Pool contractors in Australia contributed to the death of an 11 year old girl who was trapped against a drain by water pressure. New South Wales Coroners’ office found that the death of Shannon Rankin in a 2006 entrapment incident was avoidable.
He found the action or inaction of the pool and spa builder contributed to her death by placing the main drain in the floor of the spa. He also found the pool interior contractor contributed to her death by failing to prevent waste material entering the drain – where it solidified and restricted water flow. The pipe below the main drain of the spa was blocked by sand, dirt and cement used in the ‘pebblecreting’ of the spa, intensifying the pressure holding the girl to the suction under the water.
The incident occurred in March 2006 in a pool spa. The girl was trapped against the drain by water pressure estimated at 350kg. The efforts of three adults failed to pull her free and she drowned. He pointed out there was no credible evidence to suggest anyone had actual knowledge of the danger that existed in the spa. He recommended the New South Wales government ban the installation of drains in the floor of spa pools in future constructions, and that an independent expert should certify that pools and spas are compliant with statutory requirements before they can be used.
He also said that the public should be informed of the potential dangers associated with existing drains in the floors of spas.
The coroners’ office said it was critical the pool and spa industry takes the lead in implementing changes to eliminate safety shortfalls, and that the new processes are underpinned by legislation.
NEW TEMPORARY POOLS SCHEME FOR NEW ZEALAND
A ‘Pools To Schools’ scheme has been introduced in New Zealand which will introduce fully compliant temporary pool installed at schools enabling students to participate in learning to swim and have water safety lessons on site. Schools throughout New Zealand face challenges when it comes to the delivery of aquatic education – cost of transport and entry to public pools, lack of pool space, maintenance costs and closures of school pools are all impacting on the delivery of water safety education and learning to swim. Pools To Schools launched at the end of March and will see temporary pools installed and available on a regular basis.
TODDLER DEATH ENDS IN SECOND ENTRAPMENT PROSECUTION
The parents of a drowned toddler in the US have claimed the pool owner did not comply to the legal demands of the new entrapment laws. In the United States the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act requires all commercial pools and spas to be fitted with approved drain covers and either multiple drains, unblockable drains or a backup device such on single- drain systems. The compliance deadline was December 2008. Three year old Hassan Itani was playing with his brother in the child pool at Kalahari Waterpark Resort, Ohio when he walked out of view of his mother, exited the pool and went into an adjacent shallow lagoon. The lawsuit states that Hassan’s mother began looking for the child immediately, then quickly asked park personnel for help. He was found floating face down in the approximately 3-foot-deep lagoon.
This is the second lawsuit where the entrapment law has been cited under questionable circumstances. The first occurred in Pittsburgh, where the wife of a drowning victim alleged that her husband was entrapped, though officials found no evidence supporting her allegation.
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