NSPF to Host Free VGB Training Sessions
Classes will educate health officials about how to meet and inspect for compliance with the federal P&SS Act's requirements.
A schedule of locations, dates, and times can be found at www.NSPF.org/Resources/spa_safety/Training.aspx. Contact Amanda Rogers to sign up at [email protected], or call (719) 540-9119. Public health inspectors, aquatics managers, state and local health officials and regulators are encouraged to attend and participate in this learning opportunity.
Funding for the classes is provided by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as part of the education mandate portion of VGB. The NSPF-hosted National P&SS Act Training Sessions and Safety Event will include educational materials and demonstrations, methods of compliance, background on the federal law, the types and causes of entrapment, how to effectively conduct compliance inspections and how to educate facilities managers about compliance with the Act. In the coming months, NSPF will coordinate P&SS Act Training Sessions in conjunction with various state associations, including the National Environmental Health Association's (NEHA) Annual Educational Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
The second National P&SS Act Safety Event (a five-hour course) will be held in concert with the Florida Pool and Spa Show in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 10; a CPSC representative will be present to answer questions. The event will be videotaped and subsequently posted on the web as a free resource for those who cannot attend at www.nspf.org/Resources/spa_safety/Training.aspx.
Hayward To Donate SVRS To Pools In Need
Hayward Pool Products recently pledged to donate up to $1 million dollars in Hayward safety vacuum release systems (SVRS) to North American pools in need. According to Hayward, its Safe Swimming Initiative is designed to assist those public pools serving communities that are facing compliance challenges with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB) because of budgetary issues.
Hayward Vice President of Product Management Kevin Potucek explained that the safe enjoyment of pools and spas is paramount to Hayward's mission. "When it comes to pool safety, multiple layers of protection are crucial," he said. VGB went into effect December 19, 2008, to improve public pool safety specifically as it applies to suction outlets. Under the law, all public pools and spas must have VGB-compliant drain covers, properly separated or unblockable drains or anti-entrapment systems such as a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) as prescribed by the Act.
"We know that due to economic cutbacks this is a difficult time for many public swimming pool operations," Potucek said. "There are many facilities serving under-privileged children, senior citizens, physically or mentally disabled citizens or other worthy causes. For whatever reason, they are not yet compliant and are at risk of not opening this spring. We want to help."
Under the terms of the initiative, Hayward will donate up to the retail equivalent of $1 million of Hayward Stratum SVRS to qualified swimming pool facilities that demonstrate a valid need. The initiative will run through July 1 or until $1 million in Hayward Stratum VRS products have been awarded, whichever comes first. Hayward will refer facility operators to registered installers.
To submit a request for consideration in Hayward's Safe Swimming Initiative, concerned citizens, pool operators and servicers are encouraged to go to www.haywardpool.com and click on the "Hayward Pledges up to $1 Million for Pool Safety" button. Products will be awarded with special consideration for public or non-profit facilities serving populations that are under-privileged or have special needs.
BioLab Partners With NSPF For Online Training
BioLab has announced a 2011 partnership with the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) to expand and enhance online training for BioGuard dealers. Through the NSPF online training center, Platinum Dealers can now obtain free access to over 30 courses covering topics such as workplace safety, human resources, employee development and OSHA regulations.
"There are a host of government requirements designed to help protect employees, customers, the environment, and even neighbors, but these requirements are not always obvious to the small business owner," says Alicia Stephens, BioLab education manager. "We are excited to partner with the NSPF to bring a spectrum of free courses to our Platinum Dealers that will help them learn how to make their workplace safer, more effective and more profitable."
