| Over recent years Health centres, gymnasiums and | | | | Health and Safety - Employers or owners of |
| dance centres have become a regular and popular | | | | gymnasiums, dance clubs and the like have a duty to |
| routine for many fitness gurus. Yet, these seemingly | | | | ensure that any customer or employee are safe |
| healthy environments can be a mecca for multiplying | | | | during their time of leisure or employment. Customers |
| germs and can become a breeding ground for | | | | may come into contact with harmful or infectious |
| illnesses and infections. | | | | micro-organisms on a daily basis at any gymnasium or |
| The gym environment is the ideal breeding area for | | | | fitness centre, therefore, the risk of contamination from |
| many germs. The warm moist air from hot, sweating | | | | equipment or close contact with other customers also |
| bodies is the perfect environment for incubating and | | | | increases on a daily basis. Thus it is the responsibility of |
| multiplying bugs. The gym and fitness room equipment | | | | the owners of the club or fitness centre to ensure the |
| provide an ideal environment in which these bugs can | | | | health and safety of any customer or employee by |
| thrive. For example, barbells, fitness dance poles, | | | | following strict health and safety regulations. |
| safety mats and even gym towels can house these | | | | The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states: |
| infectious germs. | | | | Section 3 of the act - "places general duties upon |
| The human body is the main transport system for | | | | employers and the self-employed to ensure, so far as |
| these germs. Your hands can easily be contaminated | | | | is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of |
| without you even knowing and pass them to anything | | | | anyone not in their employment who are likely to be |
| you touch. | | | | affected by their undertaking". |
| Most cold and flu viruses are passed by droplets from | | | | So if you are a teacher, instructor, or responsible for |
| a person's mouth or nose. If these are present on gym | | | | gym or fitness equipment then you will need to ensure |
| equipment they can easily infect the next person to | | | | you keep the equipment free from harmful gym |
| use the equipment. | | | | germs. |
| There are four major micro-organisms (germs) which | | | | The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states: |
| are common in fitness centres and gymnasiums: | | | | Section 3 of the act - "places general duties upon |
| Bacteria - These single-celled organisms which include, | | | | employers and the self-employed to ensure, so far as |
| staphylococcus aureus and streptococci. These can | | | | is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of |
| cause skin infections. The germ is easily transmitted to | | | | anyone not in their employment who are likely to be |
| another person and can cause serious illnesses such | | | | affected by their undertaking". |
| as; pneumonia | | | | For cleaning many of these gym germs we would |
| Fungi - A single-celled organism which is slightly more | | | | recommend to keep all equipment and gym areas fully |
| complex than a bacteria cell. This microorganism | | | | maintained and cleaned regularly. We would |
| thrives in areas of moisture and warmth. Any of these | | | | recommend an anti bacterial and anti fungi solution. We |
| unwanted germs can cause fungal infections such as; | | | | have fitness dance poles that are regularly used by |
| athletes foot. Each person is affected by a fungal | | | | students and gym users for pole dancing classes. |
| infection differently than another, yet all infections are | | | | These dance poles are likely to harbour many gym |
| uncomfortable and can be easily prevented with good | | | | germs. We use a PAL disinfectant probe wipe which |
| personal hygiene. | | | | is impregnated with a high specification broad |
| Protozoa - A single-celled organism e.g. Giardia, | | | | spectrum bactericide. Used in both health care and |
| commonly found in hot tubs, whirlpools and swimming | | | | food industry, they are active against bacteria as well |
| pools which are poorly sanitized. These are the rarest | | | | as viruses and fungi. These are ideal for use to clean |
| form of infectious agent found in gym areas. | | | | your fitness dance pole. Antibacterial wipes are safe |
| Viruses - These are the most complex of | | | | and easy to use before and after pole dancing dance. |
| micro-organisms and require a host in order to survive. | | | | Especially useful to help control the spread of bacteria |
| These are passed via human contact and cause | | | | and fungi on lap dance poles and other equipment |
| illnesses such as; the influenza virus and the common | | | | used in gyms, clubs and leisure centers. |
| cold. | | | | |
