august 2020 - healt and security

Feel like partying?

Although lifeguarding is fun in itself, we know that for many people, working as a lifeguard during summer can also be a good bonding experience. Parties often allow staff at a facility to come together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Normally, there isn’t a problem with that, but life isn’t quite normal right now. Although we can sometimes forget it, we are still in the middle of a pandemic and being prudent remains a must. To be effective, prudence must be applied both in the workplace and in your personal life. We’ve heard many stories of parties in the last few days and we wanted to remind you that gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited in private residences. In addition, the 2 metre distance rule remains in effect and a mask must be worn if the rule cannot be respected.

Furthermore, Public Health recommends that anyone who might have frequented any bar or club in Montreal since July 1st, get tested. You can call 514 644 4545 to make an appointment.

We would also like to remind you NOT to go to work if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or if you have been in contact with a person who has had Covid-19. For more details on how to proceed, consult the following address: quebec.ca/covid19.

The last thing we would want is for aquatic facilities to be singled out in a potential second wave or for an outbreak in a facility to cause it to shut down. People need to cool down given this hot summer, and you want to keep your job.

We know it’s not easy, but we’re going to get through this, all of us together.

Don’t give up, keep protecting yourself and do what you do best: save lives.

THE MASK AND THE FACE SHIELD: information on bathing areas

Since July 18th, it has been mandatory for people aged 12 and over to wear a mask in closed or partially covered public areas, including indoor aquatic centres and the washrooms and changing rooms of outdoor aquatic facilities throughout Quebec.

The Lifesaving Society would therefore like to give you a quick reminder about wearing face shields and quality procedural masks in aquatic environments:

Impacts on indoor pool lifeguards

  • The obligation to wear a face shield or a quality procedural mask in enclosed or partially covered public areas does not apply to people working in indoor swimming pools, except for lobbies, reception areas and elevators in the building. The sanitary rules issued by the CNESST, for indoor aquatic centres include:
      • Wearing a quality procedural mask is not mandatory when the lifeguard is stationed on the lifeguard chair;
      • Wearing a quality procedural mask is not mandatory if a supervised area is delineated to respect the physical distance of 2 metres between patrons and staff;
      • Wearing a quality procedural mask is mandatory if the 2-metre physical distance between patrons and staff cannot be respected unless there is a physical barrier (e.g., Plexiglas);
  • The lifeguard must wear the quality procedural mask and eye protection when working within 2 metres and out of the water or in shallow water;
  • The lifeguard, instructor and coach must not be hindered by wearing the quality procedural mask while working. Wearing the procedural mask is therefore not to be encouraged, but physical distance must be respected.

 

What this means for patrons

  • It is patrons’ responsibility to respect the requirement of wearing a mask as soon as they enter the aquatic facility and when moving around;
  • It is patrons’ responsibility to wear a mask when going on the side of the pool to drop off personal belongings. They can remove their mask before taking a shower and entering the pool;
  • It is patrons’ responsibility to wear their mask when going to the sanitary block;
  • It is patrons’ responsibility to wear their mask; otherwise, access to the aquatic facility will be denied.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The aquatic manager:

  • It is aquatic managers’ responsibility to enforce the use of masks in their facility. They must ensure that patrons wear their masks upon arrival when moving around and when leaving.
      • e.g.: Mandate an employee to make rounds in the locker rooms to ensure that patrons respect the health and safety of everyone.
      • e.g.: Ask a user to leave the premises if he or she refuses to wear a mask.
  • It is aquatic managers’ responsibility to ensure that their lifeguards are not affected by the enforcement of social distancing and mask-wearing rules. These tasks must be assigned to employees who are not lifeguarding.
  • It is aquatic managers’ responsibility to train and inform their staff on how to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing rules, including the procedure for complaints and dealing with difficult customers.

The lifeguard:

  • It is lifeguards’ responsibility to ensure that their pool scan is not affected by the enforcement of social distancing and mask-wearing rules. These duties must be assigned to employees who are not on duty.

 

Please visit the section concerning wearing masks and face shields on the Quebec government website.

 

 

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