Can anybody explain how we are supposed to control H&S in a gymnasium. My friend has opened a gymnasium and I asked him what H&S measures he has in place, he said none. Surely a gym is a hazardous place and possesses all the big hazards we have regulations for: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 Are they exempt in some way. Is the responsibility passed on to the user??????? I have my Nebosh general certificate however I can't offer my friend any help as the way I would control Health & Safety in the gym wouldn't be practical to the processes in that building. I'm not concerned at all but as a new H&S practitioner i'd like to know for my own knowledge how this is done without altering the process of a gym but still being compliant with regs. Gasmonkey

Hi Gasmonkey - a good question. If you had asked me xx years ago as a schoolboy gymnast I might have vaulted the issue or climbed the wall bars to avoid answering! I suggest you think in stages to start with; Firstly it is a workplace; therefor all OSH management and workplace regulations apply (wrt staff and visitors). Secondly it is probably a 'shared workplace' for trainers and contractors who refurb equipment. Thirdly it is a place of 'entertainment' of sorts so public liability and duty of care come in. Managing this lot needs a careful and balanced approach. Equipment and activities all have best practice guidance and with a bit of searching (including mfcrs info) usually the working of the gym is quite easy. The important bits relate to making sure there is evidence of a 'system' to reduce risks -including inspections and testing and cleaning routines - especially for slips and trips. Also remember about the issues concerning security (locker theft) and moral matters (decency and child protection). Apply the general principles of the regs you listed in a pragmatic way - there are no exceptions. Hoe this helps - do the Diploma and use this as a case study -it sounds ideal!

Sorry, she is a gymnast.