The Redwoods Group Insurance Program for YMCAs
Risk Management Alert
Topic: Weight and Fitness Room Safety
Accident frequency is increasing in fitness rooms and weight rooms of YMCAs across the country. Some of the incidents arise directly from
equipment that is inadequately maintained or marked. Others arise from improper participant use, generally traced to less than adequate
training, either in regard to general fitness principles or specific equipment operation. Several steps that can be taken to address the most
frequent accident types that occur in the fitness and weight room areas are listed below.
| 1. |
Weight and fitness areas should be supervised by a staff member at all times. If this is not feasible, the area should be
supervised during the peak usage hours. Both the hours of supervision and a warning about the danger of individual
workouts without a spotter should be clearly posted. The area should be monitored frequently by staff when it is not actually
being supervised.
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| 2. |
An orientation should be offered to all weight and fitness area users, and should be mandatory for users under 18 years of
age. It should include both general fitness protocols and an introduction to each piece of equipment, emphasizing the
benefits and limitations of each. If desired, a release from liability could be required from any who decline an orientation (an
example is on our website).
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| 3. |
Every access into the fitness area should be clearly posted with notices similar to the following:
A) THE EQUIPMENT IN THIS ROOM CAN CAUSE INJURY IF IMPROPERLY USED!
OBTAIN INSTRUCTION ABOUT A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT BEFORE USING IT!
B) Access permitted to persons above 18 or those above 14 who have received proper orientation.
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| 4. |
Each piece of equipment in the room should have clear and simple instructions, preferably pictorial, posted in the immediate
vicinity of the equipment.
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| 5. |
Treadmill belts should have a series of slip-resistant marks along both edges so that movement of the belt can be easily
determined. These marks should be confined to a strip from 1" to 1 ¸" wide on each edge of the belt, be about 12" to 18"
apart, and be large enough to be easily identified.
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| 6. |
Proper maintenance of the equipment is vital to the safety of the users. An inspection and preventative maintenance log
should be maintained for all equipment in the fitness area. It should include dates of all equipment inspections, deficiencies
noted, corrective action taken, and preventative maintenance performed. Preventative maintenance should meet or exceed
manufacturers' guidelines. Records should be maintained at least 3 years.
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| 7. |
Users of free weights should return all dumbbells, weights, bars, and collars to their appropriate storage locations, as they
create trip and fall hazards when left on the floor. Staff should encourage proper behavior and should clean up items left
unattended.
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Please call us at 800-463-8546 if you would like to discuss any Risk Management safety tips, or visit our web site at www.redwoodsgroup.com to learn more about YMCA risk management related issues. We would appreciate any feedback you might have to offer concerning this article. Please click here to send your feedback.
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