This assignment is going to look at the most popular facilities within the spa environment which are: Saunas, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, showers, floatation tanks and swimming pools, as regular checks are paramount to avoid water bourn diseases.
When it comes to saunas the daily maintenance routine checks are paramount to keeping the sauna at the right temperature, chemical levels are correct not exceeding or lowering the amount needed. The removal of excess water is to avoid slipping or festering of any bacteria that may build up; this has to be monitored on a regular basis. In the case of the Jacuzzi and the plunge pool these need to be drained on a regular basis to enable them to be thoroughly cleaned out. Disinfectant may be used for the flooring and the seating areas. The sauna, Jacuzzi and plunge pool all need to have filtration systems that will need to be cleaned on a daily basis to ensure that they are in excellent working order.
Shower areas should be checked and cleaned a number of times a day with disinfectant. The shower heads should be dismantled at least once a week for a deep clean as should all soap dispensers using a light disinfectant to avoid any allergic reactions that might occur. The flooring around all these facilities is to be kept clean and dry whenever possible and clients using the facilities should be advised to wear suitable footwear at all times to avoid accidents such as slipping.
A risk assessment for a shower area may consist of the following possible hazards:-
- Injury caused by slipping or falling is a high risk. This risk can be put to a minimal risk by regular visual checks of the area and when need, to remove the excess water.
A risk assessment for the swimming pool, Jacuzzi and plunge pool would be comparable and consist of the following possible hazards:-
- Injury due to slipping or a fall. This would be a medium risk and would require action to lower the risk. Life guards would be required to do regular visual checks of the areas concerned and to advise people to wear the correct foot wear.
- Chemicals in the pool checks, this poses a medium risk and can be controlled by regular tests. If there are any chemical adjustments to be made these will be implemented and recorded to maintain the waste is kept at the right chemical levels.
- Drowning is a hazard. This hazard can be supervised by the life guards being qualified in first aid and having rescue aids in place with easy access. Also the water facilities should be locked when not in use to avoid any accidents.
A sauna and steam room will also have some similarities and consist of these possible hazards:-
- Becoming ill or injured due to any medical history could pose a threat and put in the medium risk category as medication can have side effects such as blurred vision and faintness. To prevent this from happening an in depth consultation for any persons who uses the facilities is needed and to be kept on record for future reference.
- Any injuries from rough or slippery floors pose a medium risk as in this environment it is more than likely to happen. To prevent this from happening, all persons using these areas should be made aware of safety rules such as wearing the correct footwear.
- Heat exhaustion poses a medium to high risk as some users of the facilities may not be fully aware of the time scales they should be in there. Ensuring that the users are informed of how long they should be in the sauna/steam room and to drink water at regular intervals to avoid dehydration, this hazard can be avoided.
- The timber becoming damaged by mould or softening poses a medium risk. This can be avoided by the door to the sauna being left open at the end of sessions giving the timber time to breathe and dry out at the end of the day.
- The possibility of being scolded in the steam room poses a medium threat. The rules for using the equipment must be followed at all times, with care in doing so.
- The possibility of a fire breaking out in a sauna poses a medium risk. To ensure this does not happen regular checks on the temperature should be made, regular checks on the water levels should be made along with regular checks to make sure there are no towels lying around where they may catch fire.
This assignment has given information on what a risk assessment is and why a risk assessment should be carried out within all work places. It demonstrates health and safety and how important it is within the work place for people to follow the procedures they are set for each specific task. The information has been supported by a variety of research incorporating the Health and Safety regulations
Bibliography
Websites
Business Link. (2008). Risk assessment-overview. [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 16th December 2008]
Five steps to risk assessment. (2006). Health and safety executive. [internet] Available from: [accessed 16th December 2008]
Sauna Health and Safety. (2006). Hard facts Norwich Union Risk services. [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 17th December 2008]
Swimming pool generic risk assessment. (2007). Swimming pool activities. [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 17th December 2008]
Books
McGuinness H, (2000). Indian Head Massage. Great Britian, Hodder and Stoughton
References
Business Link. (2008). Risk assessment-overview. [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 16th December 2008]
Five steps to risk assessment. (2006). Health and safety executive. [internet] Available from: [accessed 16th December 2008]
Sauna Health and Safety. (2006). Hard facts Norwich Union Risk services. [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 17th December 2008]
