In brief
In gyms, the same equipment affects both trainers and members; equipment maintenance and records are therefore at the heart of OHS. For trainers, spotting and repeated demonstrations bring musculoskeletal strain, and loud music in group classes brings voice and hearing strain. First aid preparation should be built around scenarios from fainting to cardiac arrest, and a ventilation and cleaning plan should be made for humidity, sweat and wet floors at peak times.
Who does gym safety protect?
In a gym, the people directly protected by Law No. 6331 are the workers: trainers, reception staff, cleaning and technical staff. Members are not workers within the meaning of the law; however, a cable that injures a member when it snaps also injures the technician trying to replace it. In practice, gym safety therefore protects both workers and members together through equipment, first aid and hygiene.
A small studio is also within the scope of the obligations. Following the Constitutional Court ruling, there is no longer a postponement for less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 workers either. You can see your gym's hazard class and the related specialist and physician times with the OHS obligation calculator.
Gym equipment maintenance: checklist and records
A significant proportion of gym accidents arise from small wear on equipment going unnoticed. Gym equipment maintenance should be planned on three levels: a visual check at opening, a detailed weekly check and periodic servicing according to the manufacturer's instructions.
| Equipment | Daily visual check | Common defect |
|---|---|---|
| Cable machines | Steel cable, pulleys, weight stack pin | Broken strands in the cable, cable slipping off the pulley |
| Treadmills | Emergency stop clip, belt alignment, cable and plug | Missing clip, belt slippage, crushed cable |
| Free weights and racks | Dumbbell heads, safety bars, plate holders | Loose heads, plates left on the floor |
| Benches and adjustable benches | Adjustment pins, upholstery, feet | Pins not seating properly, torn upholstery |
| Bikes and ellipticals | Pedals, seat lock, frame connections | Loose pedals, slipping seat |
Add the following to the checklist too:
- Take faulty equipment out of use immediately. Hang an "out of use" tag and make the equipment physically unusable; just hanging a tag is not enough at busy times.
- Layout: Leave the free space behind the treadmill specified by the manufacturer in the manual clear. A person falling off a treadmill hitting the machine or wall behind it is a cause of serious injury.
- Electrics: Use fixed, earthed sockets for treadmills and cardio equipment instead of extension leads and multi-socket adaptors. The internal electrical installation and earthing are subject to annual periodic inspection under Annex III of the Work Equipment Regulation.
- Records: Record every check with the date and a signature. After an accident, the maintenance record is the first document requested.
The safety requirements for stationary training equipment are set out in the TS EN ISO 20957 series of standards; when buying new equipment, ask for compliance with this standard and a user manual in Turkish.
Fitness trainer risks
Fitness trainer risks are invisible from the outside, because the trainer's job is physical activity anyway. However, the work-related strain comes on top of the person's own training:
- Spotting: Catching a bar that a member has to let go during a bench press or squat means a sudden, uncontrolled load. For heavy sets, it is necessary to use a station with safety bars, to spot with two people and to teach trainers correct back posture.
- Repeated demonstrations: Demonstrating the same movement to dozens of members during the day increases shoulder and knee strain. Limit the number of intensive classes per trainer in the timetable.
- Collecting plates and dumbbells: Collecting plates from the floor at closing time is manual handling work. Use a plate trolley and position holders close to waist height. For methods, see our article on preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
- Voice and noise: Hoarseness is common among trainers who talk over loud music in group classes; music playing throughout the class is also a hearing exposure. The Noise Regulation sets a lower action value of 80 dB(A), an upper action value of 85 dB(A) and a limit value of 87 dB(A). It is necessary to use a wireless microphone, keep the music at a level that does not drown out the trainer's voice and plan a measurement if in doubt.
- Working hours and violence: Set up a communication arrangement for reception staff and trainers working alone early in the morning and late at night. What to do about verbal or physical violence from members is covered in our article on violence against workers.
Gym first aid: preparation by scenario
Gym first aid preparation should be built around events that could actually happen in the gym: fainting and dizziness, low blood sugar, muscle and joint injuries, crushing from falling weights and cardiac arrest.
The First Aid Regulation sets the number of first aiders according to hazard class: one first aider for every 20 workers in less hazardous workplaces, every 15 in hazardous and every 10 in very hazardous workplaces. The certificate is valid for three years, and refresher training is taken within the three months before it expires. In practice, it is necessary to set up a rota so that there is at least one first aider on every shift the gym is open. For the certification process, see our article on how to obtain a first aid certificate.
Keep first aid supplies in an easily accessible cabinet at reception and in the training area; compare the contents with the list in our article on first aid cabinet supplies. Who will call 112, who will open the door and meet the ambulance and who will move other members away should be decided in advance.
Ventilation and gym hygiene
At peak times, humidity, temperature and the smell of sweat rise quickly in a crowded training area. Inadequate ventilation increases fatigue and headaches for trainers and makes it easier for mould and fungi to grow on damp surfaces.
- Ventilation: Put the filter and maintenance plan for the mechanical ventilation system in writing; check that the system runs at full capacity at peak times. A carbon dioxide monitor is a practical tool for checking whether ventilation is adequate.
- Equipment cleaning: Disinfectant and disposable wipes for grips and mats should be ready at every station. The safety data sheets for the disinfectants used by cleaning staff should be on file; for gloves and mixing rules, see our article on cleaning staff risks.
- Showers and changing areas: Wet floors are the most common cause of falls. Non-slip flooring, drainage and regular drying are needed. Our article on legionella risk and water systems explains the legionella risk in hot water systems.
- Blood and body fluids: After an injury, surfaces contaminated with blood are cleaned with gloves and a suitable disinfectant; the materials used are disposed of in a sealed bag.
In facilities with a swimming pool, chlorine and pool chemicals are a separate risk heading; details are in our article on pool chemicals and chlorine gas.
Emergency plan and evacuation
There are two evacuation problems specific to gyms. First, loud music can prevent the fire alarm from being heard; when the alarm is activated, the music system needs to cut out automatically or be supported by a visual warning. Second, in gyms in basements or inside shopping centres, the escape route is long and capacity fills up at peak times.
A gym inside a shopping centre should align with the building's common emergency plan and carry out drills in coordination with the building management. We explain how to plan a drill in our article on how to carry out an emergency drill. Preparing and updating the plan is within the scope of our emergency plan service.
Monthly checklist for gyms
- Have the cables, pulleys and pins on all cable machines been checked?
- Are the emergency stop clips on the treadmills in place and working?
- Has faulty equipment been made unusable and recorded?
- Is there at least one first aider on every shift; are the certificate dates current?
- Are the AED's battery and pads within their expiry dates?
- Have the ventilation filters been changed as planned?
- Are the floor and drainage in the showers and changing areas suitable?
- Does the music cut out when the alarm sounds?
You can track inspection and training dates with the OHS calendar. For gyms and studios in Bursa and the surrounding provinces, we adapt this list to each gym's equipment in our OHS specialist service. Our general approach to service and retail businesses is on our office and retail page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are an OHS specialist and a workplace physician mandatory in a gym?
Yes. Every workplace with at least one worker is within the scope of Law No. 6331 and must appoint a specialist and a physician. The service can be obtained from an OSGB (joint health and safety unit).
Who should carry out gym equipment maintenance?
Daily and weekly visual checks can be carried out by trained gym staff. Periodic servicing and parts replacement should be carried out by an authorised service provider or competent technical staff according to the manufacturer's instructions, and every operation should be recorded.
Is it mandatory to have an AED in a gym?
In this article we treat the AED as a measure based on the risk assessment; check with the authority you obtained your permit from whether there is a separate requirement in other legislation applicable to your facility. In environments where intensive exercise takes place, rapid response to cardiac arrest is vital; we therefore recommend keeping an AED and training first aiders with the device.
How many first aiders should there be in a gym?
Under the First Aid Regulation, one first aider is needed for every 20 workers in less hazardous workplaces, every 15 in hazardous and every 10 in very hazardous workplaces. After calculating the number, set up a rota so that there is at least one first aider on every shift the gym is open.
Is noise measurement needed for group class trainers?
If the music level is high and trainers teach several classes throughout the day, a measurement should be planned. We plan the measurement with accredited laboratories and enter the result into the risk assessment.
A certified specialist matched to your hazard class: site inspections, approved logbook, training plan, annual plan and report follow-up.
Bursa SİSTEMER OSGB Technical Team — written from the field experience of our OHS specialists and workplace physicians. Legal information is valid as of the publication/update date; contact us for an assessment specific to your business.