Neil Holland's top 20 gym safety tips by Neil Holland Mar 9th 2006

Having established the need in my previous article to underpin all things boxing with the key word safety, and the real need to develop the safety mindset, some readers may appreciate my top twenty tips for safety in the gym. 1.Take a general health and safety approach even if you do not employ people. Encourage users to report equipment problems and hazards. Log equipment checks and maintain it all. 2. Have a strategy for dealing with potential contamination by bodily fluids. 3.Review first aid arrangements, not just for yourself but for helpers. Identify nearby premises which may have first aid available. 4.Consider your means to summon assistance such as an ambulance, have more than one method of fast communication at all times. 5. Review hygiene arrangements, showers, toilets. Don't let the gym reek of sweat. Buy antiseptic sprays for the inside of gloves and head guards. 6. Be tidy, do not leave items lying around to cause accidents. 7.Monitor numbers and be aware of overcrowding which can also lead to accidents. 8.Keep a log for each boxer, containing due dates for medicals, scans, renewals, injury and illness logs and all other required records. 9. Keep frequent written weight checks to monitor weight gain and weight loss. 10. Review staffing levels and invest time in developing assistance. Developing others will give the gym resilience and sustainability. 11. Have a degree of discipline in the gym with some rules to maintain a tight ship. Encourage respect for people and equipment. 12. Have an induction procedure for newcomers covering use of equipment, especially weights, and personal kit provision. 13.Make sure your training schedules cover mixed abilities and differing stages of pre competition. 14. Look at fluid arrangements and drinks provision regarding dehydration and re-hydration, relevant to before, during and after training. 15. Pay attention to signage, advice notices and risk acceptance. They can do much to ensure the smooth running of the gym. 16. Make supervision a must, as opposed to a priority. Especially for all contact sparring and weight use. Sparring can quickly get out of hand and the actual weight in punches landed must be continually evaluated, for the welfare of your boxers. 17. Have a policy regarding any visiting amateurs. Consider the terms and relevance of the A.B.A. insurance under which they train and box! 18. Maintain your own dignity, integrity and consistency. You can “lose the gym”, just as football managers can lose the dressing room! 19. Go through the rules with your boxers so they have effective understanding of safeguards and clear direction for contests. 20.Think about, and act upon, the basics of fire risk, burglary and insurance. The list is by no means exhaustive. If you identify more tips for a safer gym, then congratulate yourself, by thinking about it you are one more step towards improving your boxing environment and making the sport safer for those in your charge. Enjoy your boxing.

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