Storage – how high is your equipment?
Almost without exception we have noticed gyms storing equipment, particularly medicine balls, above head height. In some cases, even heavier equipment such as benches and boxes have been seen stored at potentially dangerous heights. This increases the risk of injuries from falling equipment. Heavy equipment can cause injury outright. Lighter equipment, whilst less likely to […]
You have been warned…
Warning signs are a great way to communicate risks that you have identified but can’t remove or mitigate any further. Examples are a wet entrance floor if the weather outside is bad, hot water taps, plug sockets, and pinch points on equipment such as GHDs. Instructional signs for safe use of equipment are also useful […]
A real lifesaver…
If you don’t have a defibrillator in your gym yet, why not? In years past, getting a defibrillator was a hefty outlay and had to be factored in carefully to gym startup budgets. Many gyms chose not to purchase one. These days it is so much easier! There are AED financing companies that allow businesses […]
Time for a quick win!
Do you leave j-cups in the rig when not in use? If so, why? One of the most frequent H&S risks seen in gyms is also one of the quickest and easiest to eliminate – known as a ‘quick win’. This is simply ensuring the removal and safe storage of j-cups straight after use. J-cups […]
Which route?
How did you choose your running route? One of the biggest factors for choosing a running route is whether it is easy to identify markers for turnaround points at 100m, 200m, 400m and so on. But there are numerous other factors which should influence the decision of a route too. You may even have ‘summer’ […]
What chemicals?
This is the Safety Data Sheet for Magnesium Carbonate , or chalk. Whilst not one of the most hazardous substances in a CrossFit gym, you should still have this on file and as part of your legally required COSHH assessment. Briefings to staff should also be undertaken and recorded. It may also be prudent to […]
Why are risk assessments important?
The first photo shows an evolution of Heinrich’s Accident Triangle which was developed in 1931 as a theoretical tool of accident prevention. It showed that if the number of near misses or unsafe working practices are reduced, there will be a corresponding fall in the number of both minor and serious accidents. The second photo […]
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 […]