Maintaining and cleaning customers’ pools not only provides a serene environment to relax and enjoy, but it also means a safer place to be. Pools, and the required chemicals to maintain them, can pose a threat to pool-goers health and their well being. Pool Scouts takes that responsibility seriously and is committed to handling chemicals properly as well as alerting pool owners of and fixing safety concerns that may arise when we service your pool.
Learning and understanding pool and chemical safety is an important part of the franchisee training experience. Franchisees spend nine days training on how to manage their Pool Scouts business from the administrative end but also how to service pools and customers beyond their expectations. Assessing the pool area beyond just testing the water is one way Pool Scouts aims to surpass customer expectations.
When it comes to upholding safety standards and ensuring your pool is maintained properly, there are a few key chemicals and service items that are a priority during franchisee training. Those items include:
The handling and use of:
The assessment and upkeep of:
Muriatic Acid. Muriatic acid is highly corrosive and can cause problems when it comes in contact with the skin or is inhaled. It is important to wear gloves and safety goggles when handling the substance. Pool Scouts technicians are instructed to only work with the substance in a well ventilated area and not to mix it with other chemicals without reading the label; it may be explosive! The good news is, once diluted, like in a pool, the substance is safe.
Chlorine. Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant and bleaching agent that is critical to keeping pool water clean and healthy, but it can present a number of hazards. Chlorine is most hazardous when fumes are inhaled or if the substance gets into your eyes, mouth or throat. Similar to muriatic acid, technicians where protective wear, eye glasses and a mask when working with chlorine.
Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is another chemical used to aid filtration in a pool, and while it is one of the least aggressive substances used, when inhaled in large amounts it can cause long term lung problems. When handling DE, Pool Scouts technicians always wear a mask to protect the respiratory system.
Main Drain Suction. While the main drain doesn’t impact someone caring for a pool, it would be remiss of us not to talk about the safety concerns with the drain system in any pool. The main drain, typically at the deepest point of the pool, runs suction that helps to keep the pool clean. In the event that a swimmer lies on top of or sits on the cover of the main drain and covers it completely, their body will become stuck and they cannot pull themself to the surface because the suction is too strong. The industry has developed drain covers that prevent someone from getting stuck and Pool Scouts technicians will alert pool owners if their cover is out dated.
Vacuum Ports. Vacuum ports in the pool system can also be hazardous. These can be located in your skimmer basket but also on the wall of the pool. The port located on the wall can present a similar risk for entrapment to that of the main drain suction. Technicians can easily remove this risk by fitting the port with a safety latched cover.
Pools are a place of fun and relaxation but there are risks involved in owning and maintaining a pool. The best defense is education and preparation. Pool Scouts technicians are trained in handling all these situations and keeping pool water healthy and the pool area of our customers a safe place to relax and enjoy the pool!
