Swimming pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds offer a refreshing break from the heat. Lifeguards, maintenance personnel, and construction workers that work in and around these bodies of water help keep the public safe from drowning and other dangers associated with the water; however, their jobs are not risk free.

Lifeguard and pool worker injuries can be serious and at times, life-threatening.  Drowning, muscle strains and tears, and exposure to harmful chemicals are just a sample of the risks these workers face every day on the job.  When these injuries require time away from work to recover, Workers’ Compensation benefits can help reduce the financial strain placed on the victim and their family.

Types of On-the-Job Risks for Lifeguards and Pool Workers

Drowning is the number one risk for anyone that spends their day in or near the water, but fortunately, lifeguards and pool workers often experience in-water safety. Still, even with advanced swimming and water skills, these workers can drown when they are saving someone else in distress, or when they are injured and unable to save themselves. There are numerous safety risks that lifeguards and pool workers face each day on the job, such as:

• Exposure to harmful UV rays from long days in the sun
• Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as chlorine, disinfectants, and other chemicals used to enhance water clarity
• Biohazards, such as urine, vomit, feces, blood, fungi, bacteria, and viruses that can pollute swimming pools and fresh or saltwater areas
• Slip and fall hazards surrounding the work area
• Physical assault when disagreeable vacationers get in conflicts with lifeguards

Common Injuries and Illnesses

There are a host of injuries and illnesses that can happen when someone spends most of their workday in or near the water. The most common types of infirmities for these workers include:

• Skin cancer from prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays
• Dermatitis and skin rashes
• Eye injuries from chemical splashes
• Respiratory damage and illnesses from inhalation of hazardous chemical vapors
• Skin irritation resulting from handling toxic pool chemicals
• Broken bones and head, neck, and back injuries from slip, trip, and falls
• Torn muscles and ligaments from lifting rescue victims and heavy pool equipment
• Communicable diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis, due to exposure to bodily fluids
• Heat stress and heat stroke from working in tropical temperatures
• Dehydration

Preventing Lifeguard and Pool Worker Injury and Illness

Lifeguard and pool worker safety is important to ensure a safe working environment. Attention to the following safety precautions can reduce and eliminate many of the dangers facing these workers:

• Personal protective equipment, such as eye safety glasses, respiratory masks, sunblock, and UV-resistant clothing
• Proper training for handling chemical substances
• Lockout procedures for pool equipment
• Proper ventilation in areas where chemicals are used
• Appropriate chemical levels for disinfection of water
• Emergency assistance training and on-site first aid equipment and defibrillators

Bear DE Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Help Injured Workers Claim Compensation

If you suffered from a workplace injury or illness, contact the Bear DE Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow today. Call us at 302-834-8484 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Wilmington, Bear, and Milford, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including the areas of Seaford and Elsmere.