DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - AQUATIC FACILITY CODE OF PRACTICE

Application
The requirements of this Section are applicable to all aquatic facilities upon commencement of the Code.

7.1 Cleaning and Maintenance Requirements

All parts of an aquatic facility shall be maintained in good repair, in a sound working condition, and in compliance with the structural requirements of this Code.

 

All parts of an aquatic facility shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free of litter and vermin, to prevent the transmission of infectious disease.

 

These requirements apply to all parts of an aquatic facility, including associated plant, fixtures and equipment.

 

7.2 Automatic Electric Cleaner Safety

Automatic electric cleaners shall not be used, or be left in the water, whilst an aquatic facility is open for use.

 

7.3 Heat Blanket Safety

Aquatic facilities that use heat blankets shall use them in accordance with the requirements of Guideline GO 1.05 – Pool Covers of the Pool Safety Guidelines.  For the purposes of this Clause, provisions incorporating the word “should” shall be construed as mandatory requirements.

 

7.4 Electrical Safety

General Power Outlets installed around the concourse shall not be used to power equipment whilst people are in the water.

 

Electrical equipment powered by mains supply shall only be used on dry surfaces.

 

Residual current devices, cord extension sets and any portable or mobile electrical equipment shall be tested at six month intervals by an appropriately licensed electrical worker, in accordance with the tests prescribed by AS 3760.  Where facilities operate on a seasonal basis, only one test is required prior to the start of each season. 

 

Faulty electrical equipment shall be immediately withdrawn from use, or isolated for repair.

 

7.5 Hand Dosing of Chemicals

Hand dosing, or the introduction of chemicals directly into the water body, shall not occur when the water body is occupied by patrons/ bathers.

 

7.6 Water Contamination

Aquatic facility water shall be maintained free of floating scum or debris.

 

Persons shall not:

·        Enter an aquatic facility water body if wearing unclean clothes or unclean bathing costumes.

·        Intentionally release bodily material into the water, other than such material released through the ordinary course of being in the water.

·        Intentionally deposit any substance or article into the water that is likely to pollute the water or make it unfit for swimming.

 

Aquatic facility operators should encourage patrons to shower before entering aquatic facility water bodies.

 

7.7 Prohibition of Animals

Aquatic facility occupiers shall ensure animals are not permitted to enter an aquatic facility.

 

Guide dogs are excluded from this provision, provided that they are not permitted to enter aquatic facility water bodies.

 

7.8 Prohibition of Entry

A person shall not enter or use, or attempt to enter or use, any aquatic facility that is:

• suffering from any skin infection or other communicable disease, or

·        in an unclean condition, or

·        under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or

·        a toddler, and who is not wearing an aqua-nappy

 

This requirement does not apply to patrons who submit a current written statement, from a licensed medical practitioner confirming that the patron does not present a health hazard to other pool users.

 

7.9 Minimum Entry Age

Aquatic facilities shall ensure that children under 10 years of age are not permitted to enter the facility unless under the supervision of a person 16 years or older, in accordance with Guideline SU 1.11 – Parental Supervision  of the Pool Safety Guidelines. Provisions incorporating the word “should” shall be construed as mandatory requirements.

 

7.10 Supervision Requirements

Group Four facilities are not required to ensure patrons engaging in aquatic activities are supervised.

 

7.13 Towel and Bathing Costume Hire

Loan or hire of bathing costumes shall comply with the requirements of the Health (Cloth Materials) Regulations 1985.  These Regulations require the items to be subject to an approved process of cleaning, between each hire or loan to the public.

 

Under this Code, similar requirements apply to the hire and loan of towels. Towels which are hired or loaned to members of the public shall be subjected to an approved process of cleaning, before each hire or loan to the public.

 

7.14 Maximum Bather Numbers

Aquatic facilities shall ensure that the number of patrons in an aquatic facility water body does not exceed the following levels as detailed in Table 10.

 

Table 10 – Maximum Bather Numbers

 

	Maximum Bather Numbers at any time (persons/m2 of water)
Spa pool	1 person / 1.0m2
Strata Titled Pool	1 person / 2.5m2

 

 

            
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