NEW INITIATIVE
Newly Launched Registry Tracks Pool Chemical Incidents With chemical accidents and incidents seeing a dramatic rise, key industry bodies have worked together to launch a pool plant ‘Chemical Incident Register’ in a bid to help the sector improve standards of chemical handling, and we take a closer look at the initiative By Jon Wadeson
C
hemical incidents in the UK have risen dramatically over the last few years, particularly since the COVID pandemic, with the three-year average between 2021-2023 up by 62% according to Water Incident Research Hub data from August 2022. This concerning surge prompted the formation of the Pool Chemical Forum. Hosted by the CBA (Chemical Business Association), the Forum includes a cross sectional group of prominent industry bodies including the Institute of Swimming (IOS), Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association (SPATA), Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG), Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), chemical specialists Brenntag UK and not-for-profit fitness industry association ukactive. This group has worked together with the aim of providing a means to assist the industry in becoming more informed around the occurrence of incidents and through the newly created Pool Chemical Forum, it aims to gather meaningful information about incidents in both commercial and domestic settings. All data entered into the Chemical Incident Register will be independently and anonymously collated and information can be provided online via a simple to complete web form (identifiable information is not collected about the site or company, where the incident occurred or the person reporting it). The information will then be shared with the pool industry approximately once a quarter and the Forum hopes this will improve best practices and training within the sector, and in doing so, will make it a safer place to operate within.
Unfortunately incidents and accidents are a fact of life, but these can become more frequent where processes are not in place or followed, perhaps through a lack of understanding and awareness or training” 40 June 2024 SPN 40_SPN_Junel_2024_Plant_Room.indd 40
Tim Doggett, CBA, CEO said: “Health and safety is at the heart of what we do at the CBA. The launch of the Pool Chemical Forum and its incident register will help identify the root cause of accidents, allowing the sharing of lessons to be learnt, enabling preventative measures and furthermore, establishing guidelines to ensure the safety of professionals. This is made possible by bringing together major leaders in the sector, encouraging and inspiring improvement, collaboration and knowledge transfer.” Daniel Ekema, Pool Plant Programme Leader, Institute of Swimming said: “Unfortunately incidents and accidents are a fact of life, but these can become more frequent where processes are not in place or followed, perhaps through a lack of understanding and awareness or training. “Not all incidents are reported, perhaps due to fear or concerns about repercussions, and so we hope this anonymous register will help the sector to gather more meaningful information for a broader understanding
of how accidents occur at pools, spas and other water features, both in commercial and domestic settings. The Pool Chemical Forum’s learnings from this data will help us to better understand day-to-day accidents that may be occurring, which will help us at the Institute of Swimming to better develop our Pool Plant training programme to help keep everyone safer.” Available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ GZDWFS8, the Chemical Incident Register asks simple questions in an easy-to-use questionnaire format. The register can be completed by people responsible for pool plant safety at a pool or by someone else observing unsafe practices or accidents. CBA 01270 258200 www.chemical.org.uk IOS 01509 640640 www.swimming.org
ABOUT THE CHEMICAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Founded in 1923, the Chemical Business Association (CBA) has a long and illustrious heritage in delivering for its members and is the leading organisation representing the complete chemical supply chain. Many of its members are SMEs and include manufacturers, distributors, traders, warehouse operators, logistics and transport companies, as well as service providers and suppliers who collectively are the main chemical industry interface providing products and services to virtually every sector. Such a diverse membership gives the distinct advantage of a 360-degree view and insight of the global chemical supply chain which, combined with the extensive and in-depth expertise of its staff, enables the CBA to provide wide-ranging services and support to its members, and to engage and work closely with Government and other key stakeholders in the UK and overseas. Chemicals are vital for society and with more than 97% of all manufactured products containing inputs from the chemicals industry, CBA members handled in excess of 27 million tonnes and make over 2.25 million deliveries of chemicals last year. Health and safety, people and sustainability are at the heart of the CBA, and it leads and participates in many initiatives such as the ‘Responsible Care Programme’ which it has been part of since 1993.
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 10/06/2024 12:40