The ‘Responsible Person’: Key to Spa Pool Safety and Management

The appointment of a ‘responsible person’ is an important part of the safe management of your spa pool, no matter whether it is in a business or residential context. This person is involved in the implementation and management of health and safety standards of the hot tub or spa. Based on HSE guidance this post outlines the duties and the important competences that a responsible person should have [36].

Who is the ‘Responsible Person’?

The responsible person’ is nominated by the dutyholder (the person or organisation with legal responsibility for health and safety) to take the day-to-day control of the risks associated with the spa pool [36]. This person will operate the written control scheme and will see that all operational procedures are complied with. This person does not have to be an employee, it can be an external consultant but it has to be someone who has the right competence and knowledge.

Key Responsibilities of the Responsible Person

Carrying out the Control Scheme: It is their duty to make certain that all control measures identified in the written control scheme are put into effect [9, 36].

Day-to-Day Risk Control: They are accountable for the day-to-day risks associated with the spa pool, specifically the risk of infection from infectious agents [36].

Monitoring Performance: They should check the performance of the spa pool system to check that it is operating efficiently and that all safety precautions are in place [63, 64].

Making Sure That Procedures Are Being Followed: The responsible person must ensure that all staff and contractors are following the right procedures and protocols [16, 60].

Maintaining Records: They are accountable for maintaining comprehensive records of all inspections, tests, and maintenance activities [34, 58].

Liaising with Others: They may also deal with external contractors, consultants and service providers to ensure that their responsibilities are being met [60].

Essential Competencies and Skills

The person who is to be the ‘responsible person’ must possess the following skills and competencies [65].

Comprehensive Knowledge of Their Role: They must have a good grasp of their role in the general health and safety structure [36].

Knowledge of the System: They must have a good understanding of the spa pool system, the parts of it and the working procedures [65].

Technical Competence: They must have sufficient technical knowledge to carry out or supervise the necessary maintenance and checks [65].

Sufficient Authority: The responsible person must have sufficient power to make decisions and take suitable measures to protect the safety of the spa pool and the users of it [65].

Training and Knowledge: They must be well trained, experienced and knowledgeable in the health and safety matters relevant to the spa pool [36, 65].

When to Seek External Help

If you do not have a suitable, competent person internally, you should seek external help from a consultant or expert [36]. This is important to guarantee that health and safety risks are managed properly. If you do decide to hire an external contractor then you must ensure that they are capable of doing what you need them to do [29].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can the dutyholder also be the responsible person?

Yes, the dutyholder can also be the responsible person if they are able to demonstrate the required competences, knowledge, and authority [36].

Does the responsible person need specific qualifications?

There is no particular qualification but the person in charge should have the right training, experience, and knowledge to perform the job well [36, 65].

Can the responsibility be delegated to multiple people?

Yes, the responsibility can be assigned to several people, as long as each has a well-defined role and responsibilities [60].

How do you determine the responsible person’s competence?

Competence is defined as the ability of a person to perform a task or task having received proper training and having acquired sufficient experience and understanding and other suitable personal attributes [36, 37].

When the person responsible for safety leaves their position what steps should I take?

You need to find and designate a new suitable responsible person as soon as possible. The risk assessment along with control measures require an immediate review after the responsible person departure [33, 36, 37].

When you choose an appropriate responsible person it enables you to establish fundamental safety measures for your spa pool that protect users’ health.