| (a) Lifeguards required. Pools and spas shall be required
to meet the operational standard that is most applicable to their
respective use. For example, a pool or spa that is occasionally operated
as a Class C pool or spa but is generally made available to the public,
with or without a fee, shall meet Class B lifeguard standards. A minimum
of two lifeguards shall 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.
(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 or 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 shall be prepared by the
pool operator, lifeguard supervisor, or pool owner and shall be sufficient
to provide adequate supervision and close observation of all users,
at all times. A copy of the plan shall be available on-site and be
provided to a department or local regulatory authority inspector upon
request.
(e) Surveillance area. Each lifeguard shall be given
an assigned surveillance area commensurate with ability and training.
The lifeguard shall be able to view the entire assigned surveillance
area.
(f) Other duties shall not distract. Lifeguards conducting
surveillance of users shall 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 shall have sufficient 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 shall be provided as follows:
(1) A pre-season training program.
(2) A continual "in-service" program totaling a minimum
of 60 minutes for every 40 hours of employment by a lifeguard or other
aquatic safety personnel.
(3) 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.
(5) Facility Emergency Action Plans for events such
as submersions, suspected spinal injury, medical emergencies, thunderstorms,
missing persons, bad weather, or chemical exposure.
(i) Emergency action plan. Any pool or spa emergency
action plan shall 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 thunderstorms,
lightning, or high winds, 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 shall be reviewed
as necessary and kept current. Lifeguard records shall be kept on-site
or shall be made available to the department or local regulatory authority
within 3 business days of the inspection. The following records pertaining
to lifeguards shall be kept 3 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(s), trainer name(s), and
attendees.
(k) Lifeguard access to safety equipment. Lifeguards
shall 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 shall include disease transmission barriers and cleaning kits
meeting OSHA standards;
(2) at least one backboard equipped with a head immobilizer
and with sufficient straps to immobilize a person to the backboard,
in locations sufficient to affect a two-minute response time to an
incident; and
(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) Platforms or stands for lifeguards only are required
where water depth is greater than 5 feet and shall 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.
(m) Personal lifeguard equipment. Each lifeguard shall
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 as 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.
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