Health and Safety

1. The Health and Safety in the Fitness Industry

2. All employer’s are responsible to have a safety policy.
The main sections in a safety policy are:
Risk Assessments
EmergencyAction Plan
Normal Operating Procedures
Safety in the work place relates to both staff and customers

3. Risk Assessment
A risk assessment is a written document that records a three-step process:
• Identifying the hazards in the workplace(s) under your control.ie slip,
trip and fall hazards etc
• Assessing the risks presented by these hazards.
• Putting control measures in place to reduce the risk of these hazards
causing harm.
To plan for safety and manage risk you need to carry out a Risk Assessment
Look for Hazards
Evaluate the Risk(RiskAssessment)
Evaluate the likelihood of occurrence
Put in place a plan for how to manage or reduce the risk
Provide training to staff on the risk awareness and how to mange
the risk

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Employers must:
• Provide PPE
• Train staff
• Maintain PPE
• Employees must:
• Wear PPE provided
• Use PPE properly
• Clean and correctly
store PPE
• Report faults promptly
PPE stands for personal protective equipment. PPE means any device or appliance
designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health
and safety hazards.

5. Electricity atWork
• Employer’s responsibilities Ensure
electrical equipment is
• appropriate to task
• tested as required
• able to be isolated
• Maintained
Ensure staff are trained to use equipment
• Employees’ responsibilities
• Use equipment correctly
• Visually check before use
• Use as instructed
• Do not tamper with or alter

6. Manual Handling Operations
Manual Handling involves any transporting or supporting of any load by one or
more employees, and includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or
moving a load, which by reason of its characteristics or unfavourable ergonomic
conditions, involves risk, particularly of back injury, to employees
Employers need to ensure that manual handling risks are dealt with within the work
place and awareness and/or training is provided.

7. Fire safety
Employers must ensure that employees know
and understand:
• The work place fire procedure
• To keep exit routes clear
• To ensure compliance with no smoking
policies
• To check safety equipment regularly
and record findings

8. Normal Operating Plans
Written instructions detailing day to day operations. A
health and fitness facilities NOP may include
procedures for the following.
• Gym rules and procedures
• Control of the pool and sessions
• Lifeguarding and pool vigilance
• Uniform standards
• Behaviour expectations of both staff and
customers
• Admissions policy
• Working alone policy
• Child protection
• Communication methods
Procedures will be specific to the individual
studio/gym/health club etc.

9. Emergency Action Plans (EAP)
• Injury in the Gym
• Drowning
• Fire
• Dangerous gases
• Structural failure
• Lighting failure
• Vandalism etc.
• BombThreat
• Biohazards
An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written plan telling employees how to act during
workplace emergencies. It usually shows step-by-step procedures, together with the
escape routes and the emergency shelter location. A good EAP will result in minimal
injuries and facility damage during an emergency situation

10. Accident Reporting
Information on accidents, incidents and ill health can be used as an aid to risk
assessment, helping to develop solutions to potential risks. Records also help to
prevent injuries and ill health, and control costs from accidental loss. A detailed
accident report may also be required during any potential litigation.

11. A child protection policy is required in all fitness facilities to help
safeguard children from harm and reduce the risks to children of being
harmed.
This policy outlines the following:
• Child safety and how the centre will plan to ensure children are
protected.
• Who the liaison officer is.
• Types of abuse (Mental, Physical, Emotional, Sexual, Neglect) and
what to look for.
• An action plan to follow if you become concerned.
Child Protection Policy

12. Inclusive Policy is designed to ensure
protection of vulnerable adults.
This policy may contain the following:
Disability services within the building
Disability facilities within the building
Policy should relate to vulnerable adults who have:
 Physical Disability
 Learning Disability
 Impaired Hearing
 ImpairedVision