PoolFecesVomitWater SOP.doc

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

No. MWR-AQUA-021R0

DATE

08 Feb 2012

SUBJECT

VOMIT OR SOLID FECAL DISCHARGE IN THE POOL WATER

ORIGINATOR

Aquatics Supervisor

FILING

To be maintained within the Standard of Operations Binder of Andersen

INSTRUCTIONS

Pool where it is accessible to facility staff.

PURPOSE

To provide instruction to pool facility staff on the proper procedures to protect the health and safety of swimmers when a bodily excretion incident occurs in the swimming pool.

REFERENCE

BUPERS 1710.11C

PUBLICATIONS

CNMINST 1710.13

AFI 34-110

AFOSH 48-14

AFMAN34-133

ABWI 34-102

RESPONSIBILITIES- Outdoor Recreation Director will provide oversight of all Standard Operating Procedures to ensure appropriate application of each within all facilities within the department.

Aquatic Supervisor will maintain and submit revisions to procedures specific to the operation(s) under their leadership. Each Supervisor will provide adequate training to all facility staff to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures that pertain to their work place.

Facility staff will follow the procedures within these guidelines and ensure each step is completed in accordance with the instruction here-in.

DEFINITIONS

SOP=Standard Operating Procedure

ODR=Outdoor Recreation

OI=Operating Instruction

PPM=parts per million

GENERAL

A. When a vomit or fecal discharge is detected in or around the pool by a lifeguard or reported by pool patron, the lifeguards must immediately initiate measures to protect the health and safety of patrons and co-workers that may be exposed to possible hazards associated with that discharge.

B. At any time a hazardous condition is detected or reported, the lifeguards on duty will announce an advisory to evacuate the water or immediate area of the pool facility affected by the hazardous condition then initiate measures to abate the hazard.

C. Because vomit and fecal discharges may carry infectious biological agents that can contaminate surface areas and/or the exposure to pool patrons, abate contaminant materials, and treat the surfaces and water to disinfect and protect any possible spread of infectious disease.

D. Whenever swimmers must be evacuated from the pool water due to a vomit or fecal incident, lifeguards must split their attention to accomplish both the specific decontamination procedures as well as documenting and reporting the incident in the most proficient manner possible.

PROCEDURES

A. Evacuate the main pool immediately in the event of a vomit or fecal incident in water.

B. Once swimmers have evacuated the pool water, lifeguards must split their attention to accomplish the remaining procedures in the most proficient manner.

C. If the discharge is fecal matter, determining if it is solid or loose (diarrhea)

1. If it is loose, follow the procedures found in SOP # MWR-AQUA -022 “Diarrhea Discharge in the Pool”.

2. If the discharge is solid feces or vomit, continue with the steps below.

D. Remove as much of the solid material as possible using a net, scoop, or bucket and dispose by flushing it down one of the facility toilets.

1. Do not use the pool vacuum to remove bodily discharges.

2. Clean the equipment used and disinfect using a solution of 1 to 1 parts water and bleach strength (50/50 mix).

E. Notify 36 CES Utility Shop and 36 Med Group Bio-environmental to inform of the incident.

F. While one lifeguard performs the above steps; an additional lifeguard must initiate a list of all patrons in the pool at the time of the incident by utilizing the customer daily log in/sign in sheets.

1. Inform patrons the roster is necessary as a Preventative Medicine mandate.

2. The roster is to facilitate a means for the Preventative Medicine Department to contact them should their inspection find possible exposure to a contagious pathogen.

G. Announce that the pool water must remain evacuated until cleared by Bio-environmental.

H. Patrons may utilize other amenities of the facility as long as they stay out of the water (sunbathing, picnic areas, etc.).

I. Report the incident to the following officials:

1. Bio-environmental-366-7166

2. Water Shop-366-8280

3. Aquatics Director- 488-1599/ 366-5197

4. Outdoor Recreation Director- 898-2154

J. When Bio-Environmental arrives for water sampling, advise representative of the incident, what measures have been implemented, and request further guidance. Provide representative with roster of individuals who have been potentially exposed.

K. Re-open pool after obtaining clearance from Bio-environmental and leadership.