Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 435.000 - Minimum Standards For Swimming Pools (state Sanitary Code: Chapter V)
Operation and Maintenance
Section 435.23 - Lifeguards

Universal Citation: 105 CMR 435.000 MA Code of Regs 435.23

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) The operator shall provide one or more lifeguards 16 years of age or older if the Board of Health determines that they are necessary for the safe use of the swimming or wading pool. The Board, when determining whether there is a need for one or more lifeguards and the number of on-duty lifeguards to be present at the pool at any one time, shall take into account the size, shape and capacity of the swimming or wading pool. As a guideline, it is suggested that one lifeguard be provided for each 25 bathers. All lifeguards shall hold the following certifications:

(a) a current Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate, or Royal Bronze Medallion, or Boy Scouts of America Lifeguard Certificate or National Y.M.C.A. Lifeguard Certificate or an equivalent certification, provided however, that no such alternative certification shall be deemed equivalent unless it shall contain all of the minimum requirements mandated or required by one or more of the foregoing certification programs; and

(b) a current American Red Cross CPR Certificate for the Professional Rescuer or American Heart Association CPR Certificate for the Health Care Provider, or National Safety Council CPR Training; and

(c) a Red Cross Standard First Aid Certificate, or a Red Cross Community First Aid and Safety Certificate (which certification may be evidenced by a notation on the back of any Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate), or National Safety Council First Aid Training, Level 2, or an equivalent certification, provided however, that no such alternative certification shall be deemed equivalent unless it shall contain all of the minimum requirements of one of the foregoing certification programs.

(2) If no lifeguards are required by the Board of Health, a warning sign shall be posted in a conspicuous location and shall state "WARNING-NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY" in easy to read, legible letters which are at least four inches. (ten cm) high. In addition, there shall be signs which are readily visible stating "CHILDREN UNDER AGE 16 SHOULD NOT USE SWIMMING POOL WITHOUT AN ADULT IN ATTENDANCE" and "ADULTS SHOULD NOT SWIM ALONE."

(3) The number of trained lifeguards determined necessary by the Board of Health in accordance with 105 CMR 435.23(1) shall be in constant attendance during bathing hours and no bather shall be admitted to the swimming pool unless this number of lifeguards is present.

(4) All lifeguards while on duty shall wear a red or bright orange bathing suit. Any shirt or jacket worn as an outer garment by a lifeguard shall also be red or bright orange and have the word GUARD printed in 4"letteringon the back. An orange hat or sun helmet shall be worn by all lifeguards out-of-doors while on duty. A sunblock or other skin protection should be made available to all lifeguards.

(5) The operator shall provide whistles and bull horns or other appropriate voice amplification devices to all lifeguards on duty.

(6) All lifeguards shall direct their attention to all persons in their assigned areas while on duty. For swimming pools with a bather load capacity of greater than 75, it is recommended that lifeguards be isolated from pool crowds by occupying elevated seats on stands high enough to give them complete and unobstructed views of persons in their assigned areas.

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