VGB Enforcement-It has begun!! Part 2

I reported earlier this week that the CPSC has begun Virginia Graeme Baker compliance inspections in Ohio. It turns out that the inspections are farther reaching than what I had first thought.

Breaking News from The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals

CPSC Inspections Underway Nationwide

Since CPSC Chairwoman Inez Tennenbaum's widely publicized statement on a national morning television show where she confirmed that CPSC would be stepping up inspection and enforcement of the Virginia Graeme Baker pool and spa safety act, word has come in from APSP members, public health officials and other stakeholders that that inspections have indeed begun.

APSP has learned that CPSC compliance staff and contracted inspectors have been in the field in Georgia, Michigan, Florida and other states inspecting pools with mixed results.

"We support the provisions of the VGB, particularly in that they align with ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance," said Carvin DiGiovanni, APSP senior director, technical and standards.
"APSP has provided CPSC with our VGB Checklist/Field verification forms to ensure that pools are accurately and efficiently inspected."

So that APSP can represent your members' interests and address this problem with CPSC directly, APSP asks that members who have had pools inspected by CPSC or its representatives to let us know about any problems with the inspection.

Please note the inspector's name and forward any materials (check lists, reports, etc.) that you received to Carvin DiGiovanni, Senior Director Technical and Standards, at CDiGiovanni@APSP.org or 703/838-0083, ext. 149, fax: 703/549-0493.

APSP has developed a number of resources to help public pool operators achieve and verify compliance, including a field checklist and a drain safety kit.

Furthermore, a discussion I had with our local health inspector revealed that the VGB act will be added to the Ohio Revised Code. This will force health inspectors in the state of Ohio to inspect facilities for compliance. He assured me that this will happen and that health inspectors will begin enforcing the VGB act by the Spring in 2010.

While this only pertains to Ohio, it is not hard to see that every state is going to have to do the same thing. It is a Federal Law and as it was told to me yesterday by our health inspector, "We don't have a choice."

Time is running out on those who have not complied yet. My advice is find a time that is best for your facility and get it done! It is better if you can make the repairs during a slow time in your schedule then when your pool is bursting with activity.