Current public pool/spa operator information sessions
Educating owners and operators has long been a valued and vital component of a process that ensures safe, healthy recreational water facilities for bathers and patrons. On occasion, the inspectors will provide some guidance and regulatory information during their inspections; however, a detailed poolside discussion about regulatory requirements is not appropriate. This is why the MLHU has been providing regulatory-specific training for public pool and spa owners, operators, and lifeguards since 2008, with approximately 100 participants each year. The training involves lecture-style teaching sessions supported by copies of the MLHU’s Public Pool and Public Spa Operator Guide and various handouts, including daily log sheets and pamphlets on water safety, for participants. The vision behind the sessions and operator guide is to assist public pool and spa operators to be fully compliant with Ontario’s public pool and spa regulations.
It is important to note, the training process used by the MLHU is not intended to replace the NSPF’s CPO course, where participants receive more detailed information regarding the operation of recreational water facilities. Instead, attendees receive basic knowledge of regulatory requirements in a consistent manner, e.g. what is expected before opening, and what an operator’s roles and responsibilities are during facility operation.
In 2012, a newly-revised and enhanced version of the Public Pool and Public Spa Operator Guide was designed, resulting in a higher number of owners, operators, and lifeguards attending information sessions over the last two years. An analysis of the MLHU’s previous information sessions has shown these sessions have been effective in increasing knowledge, reducing barriers, and changing some attitudes about the operation of pools and spas. Even with this feedback, through more recent informal discussions between owners, operators, lifeguards, and the inspectors who lead information sessions, it appears there is a growing need for new teaching and training methods which will increase participation. In short, attendees are looking for something that uses more exciting, interactive, and engaging teaching methods.
To address these challenges, the MLHU plans to engage its audiences in focus groups prior to revisiting the program. It is hoped these groups will assist in determining what recreational water
facility owners, operators, and lifeguards expect and need from a training program offered by the local public health department. It is planned that participants will also discuss and provide feedback about their preferred and effective teaching methods.
The MLHU will gather information from those who have attended, or have never attended previous sessions to understand how the MLHU can make its program more attractive, accessible, beneficial, and effective in obtaining wider compliance with provincial regulations. The goal would be to make this future training program available to as many owners, operators, and lifeguards as possible in an effort to meet the ultimate goal of preventing and reducing waterborne illnesses and injuries associated with recreational water use.
