Hello all,

We are currently refurbishing our head office and we are considering setting up a small gym for the staff to use prior, after work or on their breaks.

The equipment will be leased and maintained by a supplier.

Despite the BIK issue (which will be fine) is there anything else we should consider in terms of usage and liability if we provide a gym for our staff outside of work hours ??

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nick

Every time this has come up before the overwhelming advice is don't do it - changing facilities, showers, employee privacy, gender designated days/hours, equipment induction?

Who will let them in before work, check they have left after work?

Who will be monitoring the area during its open hours in case of incident?

Who will keep the equipment clean between supplier maintenance?

What happens when colleagues raise issue with sweaty/smelly gym bags/kit?

Is the actual floor loading sufficient to take the equipment especially point load under adjusting screws?

Is the flooring / room design suitable to stop noise transmission from the equipment e.g. dropped weights disturbing the rest of the building occupants?

As well as the above; remeber that practically 'at your own risk' doesn't exist for this type of situation.

If the equipment fails in some way that causes an injury; you would likely be liable (for a civil claim)

If the user isnt instructed or supervised in some way that causes an injury; you would likely be liable (for a civil claim)

If the user hurts themselves in the act of using maintined supervised equipment, eg pulling a muscle.  Whilst a Judge MAY decide you met your duty of care, you have next to no chance of getting the issue in front of a Judge and will end up settling out of court anyway (for a civil claim)

Far better to subsidise commercial gym membership

Edited by user 24 September 2021 13:01:14(UTC)  | Reason: Spelling etc in the absence of a spellchecker