Managing risks ‘asbestos you can’…..
Any buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos, particularly those built pre-1980. Asbestos is hazardous to human health and it is thought at least 100 000 people a year worldwide die from diseases related to asbestos exposure – if the fibres become airborne and are inhaled they enter the lungs and, […]
Why get an AED?
A defibrillator (or AED) is a device that gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone in cardiac arrest. Having an AED in your gym can save lives. For every minute it takes for an AED to reach someone and deliver a shock, survival chances drop by 10% (www.bhf.org.uk). Making sure your staff […]
What is your flood risk?
Do you know what the risk is at your business location from flooding? Find out at www.data.gov.uk and view your flood risk map. Visit the Environment Agency, National Resources Wales, SEPA, Northern Ireland Direct or other national relevant website for more information. Remember that surface water flooding can present just as great a risk as […]
What chemicals do you use?
Controlling hazardous substances is an important part of managing health & safety requirements for businesses. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, every business has a duty to both their employees and the general public that visit their business to protect them from hazardous substances. Keeping a COSHH inventory is an […]
How clean is your toilet?
Keeping toilets and changing facilities clean (from floors and toilets to feminine hygiene units and door handles) is key to both maintaining necessary hygiene standards and keeping members happy. It creates a welcoming environment and shows a commitment to high standards of care. It is also extremely important in order to minimise the contamination and […]
How many people can your gym safely hold?
Maximum capacity calculations should form part of a Fire Safety Risk Assessment as a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Building Regulations Approved Document B. Some high profile incidents have occurred when businesses have allowed building occupation to exceed capacity and an incident has resulted in emergency exits not being […]
Got milk?
Do you have on-site coffee facilities?What do you do with left over/waste milk? Pouring milk (or any other dairy product) down the drain is a criminal offence for businesses in the UK, carrying a fine or even a prison sentence in extreme circumstances. Milk is a highly polluting substance and as such is classed as […]
How big is your toilet?
Sanitary conveniences in buildings other than dwellings need to adequately provide for those with disabilities. Building Regulations Part M covers the requirements in detail. In addition, the Equality Act 2010 states business have a ‘duty to make reasonable adjustment’, which can easily go above and beyond Part M. This means assessing and anticipating the needs […]
Do you know where your stopcock is?
One of the most devastating and expensive business risks is water damage, but it can be one of the simplest to mitigate against. Many CrossFit affiliates are in industrial units that can get cold. Turning your stopcock(s) off overnight, especially during winter months, can reduce the risk of burst pipes and subsequent water damage. So […]
What do these numbers mean?
These are EWC (European Waste Catalogue) Codes and businesses are legally required to know the right codes for their various waste streams and ensure they are used on waste documentation which is then kept on file for 2 years minimum (3 years for hazardous waste). There are over a hundred codes but these are the […]