Okla. Admin. Code § 310:320-3-2

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 310:320-3-2 - Personnel

(a)Transfer of ownership. Each license holder of a public bathing facility shall notify the Department upon sale, lease, or other transfer of responsibility for the premises and shall supply the Department with the name and address of the new operator and/or owner.

(b)Operation and management. The bathing place shall be maintained under the supervision and direction of a properly trained operator with duties and responsibilities outlined in (d) below. Proper training can be obtained through attendance at short courses for swimming pool operators sponsored by the state, county, and municipal health departments; state colleges and universities, and organizations such as the YMCA, YWCA, and Red Cross.

(c)Lifeguard.

(1) One (1) or more lifeguards shall be on duty at the pool side of all bathing places open to the general public, and all pools with diving boards or platforms higher than one (1) meter at all times when the pool is open and in use. These individuals have authority to enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to sanitation and safety.

(2) Lifeguards of public bathing places in Oklahoma shall have satisfactorily completed an advanced course of instruction in life saving and water safety equivalent to that offered by the American Red Cross or YMCA. Except for situations that satisfy (6) of this subsection, lifeguards shall be not less than sixteen (16) years of age. Lifeguards shall have a current life saving certificate, be capable swimmers, shall be competent in life saving methods, and be able to perform artificial respiration, and shall be in good physical condition. At least one (1) lifeguard holding a current certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and trained in multi-media or equivalent first aid shall be on duty at all times the pool is in use. The CPR and current advanced life saving certificate for each lifeguard employed shall be prominently displayed or posted at the checking stand or other convenient point so as to be easily read by the patrons. Bathing places open to the general public with water depths of four (4) feet or less may substitute persons passing an American Red Cross Basic Water Safety Course or its equivalent, rather than the Advanced Life Saving Course.

(3) Lifeguards assigned to the pool side shall not be subject to duties that would distract their attention from proper observation and supervision of persons in the pool area, or that would prevent immediate assistance for persons in distress in the water.

(4) The number of lifeguards on duty shall be such as to provide reasonable general supervision of the activities of all persons in the pool area, with detailed supervision and close observation of those persons in the pool water. The number shall also be sufficient to enable periodic relief or rest periods so that they will be alert while on duty. As a general approximation, it is recommended that the pool management provide at least one (1) lifeguard at the pool side for each seventy-five (75) persons in the swimming pool, with the determining factors being the type of pool, size of pool, ratio of surface area of deep water to the area of pool, temperature of the water, and quality of the water. Lifeguards shall wear distinguishing suits or emblems so that they may be easily identified by persons using the swimming facilities.

(5) In the case of pools not open to the general public, that limit the use of the pool to their tenants or guests, it is recommended that a lifeguard or attendant who is responsible to pool management be in attendance when the bathing place is in use. Pools not open to the general public which do not have lifeguards or attendants present during all hours of operation must post a sign at the entrance to the pool area stating "NO LIFEGUARD OR ATTENDANT ON DUTY."

(6) If there is a shortage of certified lifeguards (age 16 or older) due to an uncontrollable event, including but not limited to a public health emergency, war, severe acts of nature, or a labor shortage, adversely impacting a licensed public bathing place (establishment), the Department may approve an establishment's request to lower the age restriction stated in (2) of this subsection to individuals who have reached the age of 15. Each exemption is limited to the establishment making the request and to only one physical location operated by the establishment. An approved exemption is valid for one year from the date of approval and may be rescinded by the Commissioner of Health at any time. A letter submitted to the Department and requesting this exemption, must be signed by an individual with authority to bind the establishment, notarized, and include the following statements:

(A) the establishment states the nature of the uncontrollable event prompting the request;

(B) the establishment states how the uncontrollable event adversely impact ability to hire certified lifeguards;

(C) the establishment attests that the 15-year-old is in compliance with all other lifeguard regulations;

(D) the establishment attests that the responsibilities for 15-year-old lifeguards will be in compliance with 29 CFR 570.34(l); and

(E) an estimate of the percentage of 15-year-old lifeguard staff.

(d)Duties and responsibilities of pool personnel. All owners, managers, operators, and other attendants in charge of any public bathing place shall be responsible for the safety and sanitation of public bathing places. Pool personnel are responsible for the following:

(1) Duties and responsibilities pertaining to bathers and general pool operation.

(A) See that all rules and regulations affecting the patrons are properly enforced.

(B) Report all drownings and accidents requiring hospitalization immediately to the local health authorities by telephone and in writing within seven (7) days. If there is no local health department, contact Consumer Health Services at the State Health Department.

(C) Report to the operator or management any condition of the bathing place or equipment which may be detrimental to its safe operation.

(D) See that showers are used and are operating properly.

(E) See that all persons known to be infected with a communicable disease are excluded from the pool.

(F) See that all persons who are under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drugs, are excluded from the shower rooms and the pool area.

(G) See that all doors and gates to the bathing place are locked when the bathing place is not in use or when the facility is closed for health or safety reasons. Signs stating "POOL CLOSED" shall be placed at all entrances to the pool when not open for use.

(H) Submit required records of the pool operations to the Department upon request.

(I) See that animals are not allowed inside the pool enclosure.

(J) See that safety equipment is not used for anything other than its intended use.

(2) Duties and responsibilities pertaining to the bathhouse and appurtenances.

(A) See that walk areas, overflow gutters, counters, lockers, equipment, furniture, interior partitions, and walls are in good repair and are clean. Where porous deck coverings are used, they shall be disinfected with a one hundred (100) ppm solution of chlorine at least once each day the facility is in use.

(B) See that floors of dressing rooms, shower stalls, and other interior rooms are scrubbed, using hot water with a suitable detergent, rinsed thoroughly, and disinfected daily or more often as needed. The floors should be scrubbed with soap or a suitable detergent, using hot water, then disinfected with a 3000 ppm to 6000 ppm solution of available chlorine, or a suitable commercial cleaner and disinfecting agent.

(C) See that toilet rooms and fixtures are kept clean, sanitary, and in good repair.

(D) See that liquid soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, and toilet paper holders are kept adequately supplied.

(E) See that no food, drinks, debris, or foreign substances are thrown or carried into the pool. No glass containers of any type may be used in or near the pool. Beverages should be dispensed in disposable or shatterproof containers. Waste containers shall be conveniently located within the walk areas.

(F) Exclude unauthorized persons from the bathing place area.

(3) Duties and responsibilities pertaining to mechanical equipment.

(A) See that the pool finish is free from dirt and discoloration, and that the overflow gutters and skimmers are clean and flushing properly. See that the pool finish is brushed or suction cleaned as often as necessary to keep the pool free of sediment, hair, debris, algae, and slime.

(B) See that the level of the water is maintained at such a height as to ensure a constant slight overflow into the gutter when no bathers are in the pool.

(C) Operate the pool equipment to maintain clear and safe water, and be responsible for maintaining the chemical parameters as outlined under OAC 310:320-3-7 and 310:320-3-8.

(D) Keep on hand at all times at least a two (2) weeks supply of chemicals for disinfection and pH control of bathing water.

(E) Keep on hand diatomite filter aid sufficient for two (2) weeks operation for filtration with diatomite filters, including diatomite skimming filters.

(F) Adjustable inlets should provide approximately ten (10) PSI pressure on the effluent gauge when the filter is clean. Approximately seventy (70) percent of the water should return to the pool through the inlets in shallow portion of the pool.

(G) Provide for filtration plant operation.

(i) All bathing place operators shall know how to properly operate the filtration system and its appurtenances. These include hair catchers, filters, pumps, chemicals, and vacuum cleaners.

(ii) Where surface skimmers are provided as a means of control of floatage, bathing place personnel shall regularly ensure that the flow of makeup water is adequate to assure proper skimming operation. Baskets or screens provided to trap large solids shall be cleaned regularly.

(iii) An adequate supply of septa and diatomite filter aid shall be available at all times where skimmer filters are provided. When two (2) or more skimmer filters are in operation, they shall be inspected periodically to ensure balanced operation.

(iv) Pool volume and turnover rate shall be posted in the equipment area.

(H) Post a sign indicating the presence of chemicals on the door to any room used for pool chemical storage.

(4) Duties and responsibilities pertaining to water chemistry.

(A) Be responsible for taking all tests as per OAC 310:320-3-8.

(B) No pool is allowed to remain open for use if the free active chlorine, pH, or turbidity are not within the limits required by these regulations as per OAC 310:320-3-7. It is the responsibility of the pool personnel to close the pool if any one (1) of these three (3) are not within the required limits.

(C) Store all chemicals in a safe manner and in an area not accessible to unauthorized persons. No chemical shall be stored in a container that does not have a complete label on it for that product.

(D) See that the proper chemicals are on hand for the type disinfection feeder in use. Hand feeding of chlorine is permitted only for super-chlorination or cleaning the pool. Only chemicals recommended by the manufacturer of solution or flow-through feeders shall be used.

(E) Chlorine and pH readings from an electrode type automatic controller may be substituted, with approval of the Department for three (3) of the four (4) required daily readings in OAC 310:320-3-8.

Okla. Admin. Code § 310:320-3-2

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 22, August 2, 2021, eff. 6/28/2021

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022