Thursday, September 21

Top safety tips for leisure centres/gyms

If you own a leisure centre there are some precautions that you need to take into consideration from the start. A leisure centre is a place where people go to work out and relax so it is important to create a safe environment, and this is why we have compiled a few tips to help you.

Risk assessment

First and foremost, before opening to the public it is important to carry out a risk assessment and identify any issues that will need fixing. Make sure procedures are being implemented properly and people are adhering to health and safety guidelines. Provide more training where needed, as well. After opening to public use, you should continue to carry out a risk assessment regularly to identify any new problem areas or procedures that can be fixed so the safety of everyone can be improved.

With the ongoing threat of COVID-19 you will need to risk assess specifically for that, and conduct tests where necessary. Make sure to constantly check and update your guidelines in line with the current government ones and to implement any and all necessary safety measures.

Matting

Most leisure centres will have at least a pool, so it is important to lay down anti-slip matting. You can do so around the pool and in other wet areas like hot tubs, saunas, showers etc. Using anti-slip pool mats makes these areas safer and will also keep things more hygienic and easier to maintain.

Chemical substances

Every leisure centre uses hazardous chemical substances to keep their pools, saunas, hot tubs etc. clean and ready for use. When used appropriately and in the right quantities these chemicals are not dangerous but they can pose a hazard to people’s health when used wrongly. This is why it is important to be careful when using, transporting and storing such chemicals. Only trained staff should handle them and they should be stored securely away from the public.

Even if your leisure centre does not have such facilities there are still cleaning chemicals that should be handled with the same care.

Emergency plan

It is important to have an emergency plan in case of a fire, accident, chemical spills, etc. This will help you be prepared, know who to call and how to handle the situation. Make sure that all your staff are trained in how to deal with emergencies, and that they know where emergency contact details are stored and how to account for everyone if the building needs to be evacuated.

First aid kit

Last, but not least, make sure that you have emergency kits well stocked and accessible to everyone in case of accidents. Check and update your first aid kits regularly and make sure that your staff are trained in how to use them and how to give first aid. 

You can also have a medical room with a trained professional with basic necessities so people can get immediate help in case of accidents.