Step 2: Invest in people
Taking the time to invest in health and safety pays off. One study showed that for every dollar an employer spent on the health, safety and well-being of its employees, it would generate a return ranging from $1.50 to $6.15. Investing in health and safety can benefit pool and spa companies in many different ways, including:
- increased productivity;
- improved staff morale;
- fewer workplace accidents;
- higher staff retention and better recruitment;
- a workplace that is adaptable to business disruptions;
- enhanced company brand; and
- reduced insurance costs.
All of the above examples show how business benefits and health and safety go hand in hand. Engaging staff in the development of a safety program will empower them to do their part to make sure a program is a success. If proper safeguards and hazard controls are in place, employees will be able to perform work more safely and productively. Making better use of resources also means a company can become more efficient, which will help it adapt to the changing economic climate of the pool and spa market. For example, an organized work environment not only reduces clutter and tripping hazards, employees can find tools and equipment faster, saving valuable time.
Simpson adds that having a solid program helped The Pool Shoppe ride out last year’s recession. At a time when many companies shifted their focus from health and safety, and were looking for higher productivity with fewer resources, The Pool Shoppe maintained its safety focus and thrived.
“We never stopped practicing health and safety during the recession,” Simpson says. “You can’t compromise on it regardless of the economic climate.”
Step 3: Develop an action plan
When the MOL visited The Pool Shoppe 10 years ago, the inspector quizzed staff about the store’s then non-existent Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) and issued a number of orders to bring the store into compliance. Orders included Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training, installing an eyewash fountain and demonstrating proper storage practices. The MOL also outlined an action plan and deadlines for the shop to ensure timely compliance. The action plan included forming a JHSC with certified staff and developing health and safety protocols to address hazards common to the pool and spa industry such as:
Chemicals
A worker can be exposed to these hazards in a solid, liquid or gas form. In the pool industry, workers will be exposed to chemicals such as chlorine and need to take extra precautions when handling these types of materials. Exposure to these substances can lead to breathing problems, skin irritations and illnesses. To prevent exposure, workers need to be trained in WHMIS, which includes knowledge of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), proper labelling, control measures and emergency procedures. It is important for workers to know what to do if they are exposed to chemicals. This includes knowing proper first aid measures, such as flushing out chemicals using an eyewash fountain, as well as how to safely clean up after a spill.
Inadequate ventilation
To ensure their safety, workers need to work in an environment that provides adequate ventilation, which includes having a fan that draws vapours away from a worker’s breathing zone or moving chemical handling operations outdoors where there is improved natural ventilation. Workers also need to be trained on how to store chemicals, which can be done by reviewing with them the specific information found in the handling and storage section of the product’s MSDS.
Heat stress
Workers should also be trained to identify and treat symptoms of heat stress and exposure from working outside too long. Symptoms of heat-related disorders range from red, bumpy skin to painful cramps to fainting. Controls to reduce this risk include:
- scheduling strenuous jobs during cooler times of the day;
- providing cool drinking water; and
- encouraging staff to drink several times every hour.
Workers should be trained to identify signs and symptoms in fellow workers, as people often do not notice their own symptoms. For more information, see the MOL’s Heat Stress Guidelines.
