News

By Mike Wood

Staff writer

Monday, July 22 (12:00 pm): July began with weeklong scorching triple-digit temperatures that cast a bright light on the safety of residents and employees in times of extreme heat.

The heat wave prompted GRF to close its pools for six consecutive afternoons during peak temperatures. The closures impacted the pools at Tice Creek Fitness Center, when the indoor temperature reached 102 degrees, and Hillside and Dollar pools, when the outdoor temperature also hit 102, the benchmark for closure.

Outdoor temperatures in Walnut Creek reached 107 on three days that week, with Saturday, July 6, hitting 109 degrees, according to the Weather Channel’s website. When a shorter heat wave hit the following week, pools were again closed in the afternoon.

General Manager Jeff Matheson said GRF understands the frustration expressed by some residents about pool closures.

“Our primary goal is to keep the pools open as much as possible while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations,” Matheson said. “GRF appreciates the community’s understanding as we navigate these challenges and hope for some cooler weather soon.”

Matheson described key considerations in determining pool closures. One is employee safety.

OSHA guidelines recommend limiting outdoor work for employees when temperatures reach or exceed 102 degrees, Matheson noted.

“Unlike typical rotations where lifeguards cycle off the deck every 15 minutes, our lifeguards are on duty for extended periods, making it crucial to adhere to these guidelines,” he said.

Another major factor is pool water temperature.

“The set temperature for Dollar Pool is 88 degrees, based on a study indicating that temperatures above 88 are not recommended for our senior population,” Matheson said. “With the recent extreme heat, pool temperatures have exceeded 88, posing safety risks for residents and increasing liability for GRF.”

The increasingly hotter climate has moved regulatory agencies to take more action. On June 20, the Cal/OSHA standards board approved a code of regulations for indoor workplaces when the temperature inside reaches 82 degrees, which are in addition to its outdoor workplace standards.

GRF has specific guidelines for employees under a new heat-exposure policy issued by Human Resources Director Eric Wong. Those include provisions for employees who work in extreme outdoor heat to be able to shift to duties in cooler environments or in some instances, be allowed to leave their shift early.

For employees like those in Landscaping whose responsibilities are predominantly outdoors, there is a strong emphasis on hydration and taking breaks. Those workers have been encouraged to take more frequent breaks, with a preference being that they take three five-minute breaks in shaded areas in the morning and afternoon rather than a 15-minute break all at once, Landscape Manager John Tawaststjerna said.

“Crews that are working in one location, like the irrigation crew working on a break, are given E-Z Up tents to shade that specific area,” Tawaststjerna said. “Other crews are encouraged to be in the shade as much as possible throughout the workday.”

In addition to monitoring pool temperatures, lifeguards at Tice regularly check two temperature gauges around the pool deck and make chemical and safety checks.

Tice’s indoor pool complex presents unique challenges. The level of humidity and the ways air circulates can make it like a greenhouse, head lifeguard Hideyo Routh said.

Routh said lifeguards must be careful to remain hydrated, and perhaps wrap themselves with a wet towel when conditions become very hot. She said American Red Cross lifeguard training emphasizes that lifeguards need to be attentive to their own safety, so they can remain able to help others.

While closing the pools was a challenge, and there were some swimmers who weren’t happy about having to leave, Routh praised GRF’s proactiveness.

“I appreciate that GRF is taking these precautions and has these procedures for high heat,” she said.

Rossmoor Nixle alerts went out every day of pool shutdowns, notifying residents of the impending closures. Pool-closure notifications were also sent to those subscribing to Fitness Bulletins in the MyRossmoor.com portal.

When extreme heat is in the forecast, Fitness and Aquatics Manager Jackie Carlisle suggests residents consider adjusting their water workout to a cooler part of the day. All Rossmoor pools open daily at 6 a.m., and even with the closures in the afternoon, there still were six to eight hours of swimming available before the 102-degree threshold was reached, Carlisle added.