IRISH AMATEUR WEIGHTLIFTING ASSOCIATION Level 1 Course

Safety in the Gym

Workshop Title: Gym Safety

Introduction A risk assessment is an important step in protecting your workers and your business, as well

as complying with the law.

It helps you focus on the risks that really matter in your workplace – the ones with the

potential to cause real harm. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control

risks. For most, that means simple, cheap and effective measures to ensure your workforce is

protected.

The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far

as ‘reasonably practicable’. This is not the only way to do a risk assessment, there are other

methods that work well, particularly for more complex risks and circumstances. However, we

believe this method is suitable for the I.A.WLA. Level 2 Coaches if they are entering

employment or setting up their own Gyms.

What is risk assessment? A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to

people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do

more to prevent harm. Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by a

failure to take reasonable control measures.

You are legally required to assess the risks in your workplace so that you put in place a plan

to control the risks.

How to assess the risks in your workplace

Step 1

Identify the hazards

Step 2

Decide who might be harmed and how

Step 3

Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

Step 4

Record your findings and implement them

Step 5

Review your assessment and update if necessary

Guidelines for Procedures

Code of Conduct

Bullying and Harassment

Disciplinary procedures

Information and Training

Cleaning

Equipment Maintenance / Inspection

Attendance records

Accident reporting

Guidelines for Policies

Gym Rules

Accident procedures

Accident Report Form

Dangerous Occurrence Report

Cleaning Procedures

Preventative Maintenance Procedures

Fire prevention policy

Fire and emergency procedures

Recording procedures

Safety Checklist for Exercise Facility and Equipment

Maintenance

Floor Inspected and cleaned

Wooden flooring free of splinters, holes, protruding nails and loose screws

Flooring resistant to slipping, no moisture

Rubber flooring free of cuts, slits, and large gaps between pieces

Area swept and cleaned on a regular basis

Walls Wall surfaces cleaned

Walls in high-activity areas free of protruding appliances

Mirrors no cracked or distorted

Ceiling All fixtures and attachments fixed securely

Adequate height for all exercise activities

Exercise Equipment

Stretching and Body weight Exercise area Mat area free of weight benches and equipment

Mats and bench upholstery free of cracks and tears

Area swept and disinfected daily

Equipment properly stored after use

Nonslip material on top and base of plyopmetric boxes

Ceiling height sufficient for overhead exercises

Resistance Training Machine Area Easy access to each station

Area free of looses bolts, screws, cables

Proper selectorized pins used

Accessories in good condition

Parts and surfaces properly lubricated and cleaned

Protective padding free of cracks and tears

Surfaces that contact skin cleaned and disinfected daily

No protruding screws, bolts, parts that need tightening or removal

Belts, Chains , Cables aligned with machine parts

No worn parts - frayed cable, worn bolts, cracked joints etc

Resistance Free Weight Area Easy access to each bench area

Olympic bars properly spaced – 1meter minimum

All equipment returned after use to avoid obstruction of pathway

Safety equipment, collars, safety bars used and returned

Protective padding free of cracks and tears

Surfaces that contact skin cleaned and disinfected daily

Securing bolts and parts tightly fastened

Olympic bars turn properly and are properly lubricated and tightened

Benches, weight racks and the like secured to the floor or wall

Non functional or broken equipment removed or taken out of service

Ceiling height sufficient for overhead exercises

Olympic lifting Area Olympic bars properly spaced between ends

Platforms are not damaged

All equipment returned after use to avoid obstruction of pathway

Equipment stored properly

Olympic bars rotate properly and are properly lubricated and tightened

Bent Olympic bars replaced: knurling clear of debris

Collars functioning

Olympic discs are in good condition

Olympic bumper plates available

Benches, boxes kept at a distance from lifting area

No gaps, cuts. Slits, splinters in platform

Aerobic Exercise Area Easy access to each station

Bolts and screws tight

Functioning parts easily adjustable

Parts and surfaces properly lubricated and cleaned

Foot and body straps secure and not ripped

Measurement devices for tension, time, rpms properly functioning

Surfaces that contacts skin cleaned and disinfected daily

Frequency of Cleaning and Maintenance Tasks Inspect all flooring for damage and wear

Clean - sweep, vacuum, or mop and disinfect all flooring

Clean and disinfect upholstery

Clean and disinfect drinking fountain

Inspect fixed equipment connection with floor

Clean and disinfect equipment surfaces that contact skin

Clean mirrors, inspect for damage

Inspect all equipment for damage, wear, protruding belts, cables, bolts

insecure or non-functioning equipment, pins, bars collars etc

Clean and lubricate moving parts

Inspect padding for cracks and tears

Remove trash and rubbish

Ensure all equipment is returned and stored properly

Sample

ACCIDENT REPORTING

All Gyms must comply with Part 10 of the Safety Health Welfare at Work (General Applications) Regulations 1993 – Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences. The Gym must recognise its obligations to report certain workplace accidents to the Health & safety Authority. All employees will be obliged to co-operate with the Gym owner where appropriate, in the recording and reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES

When a serious accident occurs the procedures below must be followed

1. Call for immediate assistance and emergency services 2. Observe accident location and status of injured person/s 3. If there is risk of further injury and the area cannot be made safe, seek

appropriate advice and move injured person to safety. If there is signs of back or neck injuries keep injured person’s spinal column as straight and supported as possible to prevent damage to spinal cord

4. See the First Aid, etc is administered as required by a competent person 5. If an ambulance is called, make sure the exact address is given and that

the ambulance can access as near as possible to the injured person 6. Establish location of hospital and appoint a suitable person to travel with

the injured person 7. Inform the Safety Officer who will notify family of injured person and if

required arrange for transport to hospital 8. Gather all information immediately about the accident and what led up

to it. 9. Obtain witness statements; write them down as they are given. 10. Take sketches/photographs of area where accident happened 11. If H.S.A are required to inspect site and location of accident, do not

remove anything unless further risks have to be avoided 12. Every accident must be recorded in the accident report book

Sample

ACCIDENT REPORT FORM

Name: ____________________________

Address: ___________________________________

Club: ________________________________________

Venue: _________________________

Date of Incident: _____________________________

Time of Incident: _____________________________

Date & Time of

Reporting: ___________________________________

REPORTED TO: ______________________________ WITNESSES: _________________________

Player sent: Hospital / Doctor Called / First Aid / Home

HOW DID THE ACCIDENT OCCUR ? (use separate sheets of paper and include sketches / photographs

if necessary:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN:

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SAFETY OFFICER’S COMMENT:

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