Gyms

The condition of the equipment and the instructions given to the customers are highlighted in the safety of the service at gyms. Tukes is responsible for monitoring the customer safety at gyms.

The gym operator is responsible for the safety of the gym and procuring the equipment.

Documents in order

Draw up a safety document on the gym service. Gym safety starts with taking safety into account already when procuring equipment and designing the gym. Make sure that the gym equipment is maintained appropriately and that the activities are monitored and instructions are provided for the activities.

Identify the risks

You can use Tukes’s instructions and tools to identify risks

You should also take the following into account in identifying risks:

  • Different kinds of customer groups: special groups, such as the elderly, need more instruction.
  • What kind of monitoring is needed? Is camera surveillance used?
  • equipment maintenance
  • placement of the equipment at the gym
  • instructing the customers
  • swimming pools and monitoring their use
  • sauna facilities
  • children’s play area

  • emergency preparedness.

Good safety practices

  • Instruct the customers on how to act on the premises and how to use the equipment correctly. Signs, instructions on a website and personal instruction help different kinds of customer groups.
  • Make sure that the instructions are in both Finnish and in Swedish; pictures should also be used as visual aids.
  • Use maintenance records to monitor the condition of the equipment and anticipate equipment replacement and repair needs.
  • When procuring equipment, make sure that it fulfils the safety requirements.
  • Arrange the monitoring of swimming pools with camera surveillance, for example.

  • Make sure that the sauna facilities are safe. The sauna facilities should have an alarm button in case of emergencies.

What to take into account in the planning

Take account of the placement of equipment in relation to each other. Some pieces of equipment need more space around them to ensure safe use. The choice of flooring material is important to prevent the risk of slipping. In addition, the manufacturer’s instructions and the requirements of standards must be taken into account in the placement and installation of equipment.

Requirements on the equipment

The equipment procured must fulfil the safety requirements and standards. When procuring pneumatic gym equipment, the specific legislation on pressure equipment must be taken into account.

CE marking is the manufacturer’s assurance that the product fulfils the relevant requirements of the European Union. The marking may only be affixed to the product groups, in which it is required.

Gym equipment, to which only the Consumer Safety Act applies, is not a product with a CE marking, and it must not be CE marked. Types of gym equipment that are not to be CE marked include exercise equipment with a weight stack, bars, and other equipment that do not include electrical or compressed air features, for example.

Standards

The standard SFS-EN ISO 20957-1:2013 includes general safety requirements and test methods for gym equipment. Parts 2–10 include test methods and gym equipment-specific requirements.