Monday, July 16, 2012

Report into Feb's "Chlorine Incident" released

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

An investigative report into the Feb. 26 chlorine incident at the Sam Ketcham Pool by the Lifesaving Society has found that the harmful effects of the incident were minimized by coordinated efforts of facility staff, those associated with swim and hockey teams, and first responders.

The City requested that the Society investigate the incident and to make recommendations to help identify issues and prevent a similar incident in the future. The Lifesaving Society made several procedural recommendations, most of which the City had already implemented following the incident.

Suggestions include reviewing evacuation plans, improved liaison and planning between facility staff/management and other emergency agencies in the community along with a review and revision of post-incident procedures.

“This report confirms that Complex staff, and first responders responded professionally and effectively during the incident,” says Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook. “We also want to recognize that the Lifesaving Society found that swim club and hockey team volunteers performed admirably. Our first priority at the Complex has always been safety, and we never stop looking for ways to improve it. As such, the Lifesaving Society recommendations are being fully implemented to help prevent similar incidents from occurring.”

A liquid chlorine system was installed in the Sam Ketcham Pool in March, and there is no chlorine gas remaining on the Complex site.

The Lifesaving Society (also known as Royal Life Saving Society Canada) is a not for-profit organization that responds to requests for an expert opinion in a strictly unbiased, non-partisan manner in order to further the goal of reducing drowning and aquatic-related injury. The Society is the recognized authority in Canada in aquatic safety, lifesaving and lifeguarding standards.

The full report can be read here

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