we have it running all the time when people are in pool, especially when kids want to play in waterfall fountain. there is no risk of shock. the pump isnt in the pool, its outside it. and its on a GCFI, and its only 110v at 5 amps anyway. it wouldnt have enough current to go through 6400 gallons of water to shock anyone. GCFI would trip it the second it tried anyway. im all about safety, but intex is just being overly cautious on this one, probably due to the suction hazard more than any shock hazard.
i will say this, i have the hayward skimmer, i also retained the original inlet as well, and both are on separate ball valves. when people are in the pool, i make sure and open both valves, because it never fails, a floaty or something will get sucked into the hayward skimmer, and air will get in the line. not sure if this is bad for the pump or not, but i have to loosen the lid on the pump trap to get air out and its a PITA. with both the inlet and skimmer valves open, if skimmer gets blocked, it just increases suction to the original inlet.
now when no one is in the pool, and i want maximum skimming suction, i close the valve on original inlet and it doubles the suction to the hayward skimmer and it will pull in every grasshopper, leaf, ant, and anything else floating my pool within about 20 minutes!