The Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) has created a service notice sign for its Ontario members to post on their jobsites to protect employees and the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sign states the council has advised that opening and maintaining pools and spas fits under the following section:
#20. Maintenance, repair, and property management services strictly necessary to manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation, and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential properties and buildings.
Without proper pool and hot tub maintenance, including circulation and treatment of water, various pathogens can grow, such as Pseudomonas, Cryptosporidium, Escherichia coli (E. coli), etc. This can also create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests that may carry diseases such as West Nile virus, which presents a secondary risk to the community.
PHTCC member technicians have been trained on how to provide these essential services while adhering to the provincial government’s strict physical distancing guidelines. They are advised to:
- Maintain a physical distance of 2 m (6.5 ft) from co-workers and clients.
- Wear all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Sanitize all surfaces and areas they have been in contact with while providing these services.
Pool professionals must not enter the jobsite without taking all the prescribed precautions.
For information and updates from the PHTCC on the industry’s response and recommendations to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit www.phtcccovid19.ca.
