(a) Lifeguards required. Pools and spas are required
to meet the operational standard that is most applicable to their
respective use. For example, a pool or spa that is normally operated
as a Class C pool or spa but is occasionally made available to the
public, with or without a fee, must meet Class B lifeguard standards
when the pool is open to the general public, with or without a fee.
A minimum of two lifeguards must be provided at:
(1) Class A pools during competitive events;
(2) Class B pools whenever the Class B pool is open;
(3) any pool where a user enters the water from any
height above the deck or wall, including from diving boards, diving
platforms, drop slides, waterslides, starting platforms, zip lines,
or climbing walls that are open for use;
(4) any wave or surf pool; or
(5) any pool while it is being used for the recreation
of youth groups, including youth camps, visiting childcare groups,
or visiting school groups, and a minimum of two lifeguards must be
provided by either the aquatic facility or by the youth group using
the aquatic facility.
(b) Closing diving boards, diving platforms, drop slides,
waterslides, starting platforms, zip line, or climbing wall. A diving
board, diving platform, drop slide, waterslide, starting platform,
zip line, climbing wall, or any other structure that allows entry
from any height above the deck will be considered open unless there
is a lock, chain, or other method used to prevent access to these
structures, and a sign is posted on the entry to these structures
stating that they are closed.
(c) Lifeguards at spas. Lifeguards are not required
at spas.
(d) Lifeguard staffing plan required. A staffing plan
specifying the number of on-duty lifeguards must be prepared by the
pool operator, lifeguard supervisor, or pool owner, and must provide
adequate supervision and close observation of all users at all times.
A copy of the plan must be available on-site and be provided to a
DSHS or local regulatory authority inspector upon request.
(e) Surveillance area. Each lifeguard must be given
an assigned surveillance area commensurate with ability and training.
The lifeguard must be able to view the entire assigned surveillance
area.
(f) Other duties must not distract. Lifeguards conducting
surveillance of users must not be assigned duties that would distract
the lifeguard's attention from proper observation of the users or
that would prevent immediate assistance to persons in the water.
(g) Lifeguard rotation required. When lifeguards are
provided or required, a rotation procedure for lifeguards is required.
Lifeguards must have break time from guarding activities as recommended
by ARC or equivalent aquatic safety organization.
(h) Lifeguard training and drills. When lifeguards
are provided or required, alertness and response drills and any other
training is required, including:
(1) a pre-season training program;
(2) a continual "in-service" program of at least a
minimum of 60 minutes for every 40 hours of employment by the lifeguard
or other aquatic safety personnel;
(3) a review of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention standards for responding to formed-stool contamination,
diarrheal-stool contamination, vomit contamination, and contamination
involving blood;
(4) performance audits as recommended by the ARC, Young
Men's Christian Association, or by an equivalent aquatic safety organization;
and
(5) a facility emergency action plan for an event,
such as submersion, suspected spinal injury, medical emergency, thunderstorm,
missing person, bad weather, or chemical exposure.
(i) Emergency action plan. Any pool or spa emergency
action plan must contain the following:
(1) a list of emergency phone numbers and contacts,
including the trained and certified operator;
(2) the location of the first-aid kit and other rescue
equipment such as the AED, BVM, and backboard;
(3) a response plan for inclement weather such as a
thunderstorm, lightning, or high wind, including evacuation areas;
and
(4) a plan following the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention standards for responding to formed-stool contamination,
diarrheal-stool contamination, vomit contamination, and contamination
involving blood.
(j) Lifeguard records. All training must be kept current.
Records confirming the status of training must be made available upon
request. If records are not kept on-site, records must be provided
to DSHS or local regulatory authority within five business days of
the request. The following records pertaining to lifeguards must be
kept three years:
(1) each lifeguard's certification, including the expiration
date; and
(2) records of the most current training, including
date, length of training, training topic, trainer name, and attendee.
(k) Lifeguard access to safety equipment. Lifeguards
must have access to safety equipment including:
(1) an Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) compliant, minimum 24-unit first aid kit housed in a durable
weather-resistant container that is fully stocked and ready for use.
The kit must include disease transmission barriers and cleaning kits
meeting OSHA standards;
(2) at least one backboard equipped with a head immobilizer
and sufficient straps to immobilize a person to the backboard located
close enough to a pool or spa to enable a two-minute response time
to an incident in a pool or spa.
(3) at least one portable AED and one BVM kept in a
secure location that can be easily and quickly accessed by lifeguards
or other trained personnel.
(l) Lifeguard stands. OSHA-compliant lifeguard stands
with platforms for lifeguards are required where water depth is greater
than 5 feet and must have a protective umbrella or sunshade high enough
to give lifeguards a complete and unobstructed view of the assigned
area of surveillance for the lifeguards. Lifeguard stands and platforms
must be located such that there are no hazards such as electrical
wires directly overhead.
(m) Personal lifeguard equipment. Each lifeguard must
be provided with the following personal equipment:
(1) uniform attire that readily identifies the lifeguard
as a staff member and a lifeguard;
(2) a rescue tube with attached rope or strap;
(3) personal protective devices including a resuscitation
mask with one-way valve and non-latex, non-powdered, single use disposable
gloves worn in a hip pack or attached to the rescue tube; and
(4) a whistle or other signaling device for communicating
to users, other lifeguards, or staff.
(n) Minimum lifeguard standards. The standards in this
subsection are considered minimum standards. Pool owners or operators
may require additional and more stringent lifeguard policies, procedures,
staffing requirements, training requirements, and performance audits.
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