OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN EXERCISES AND WORKOUT IN THE GYM

An occupational hazard is a hazard experienced in the workplace. Occupational hazards can encompass many types of hazards, including chemical hazards, biological hazards, psychosocial hazards, and physical hazards.

Occupational hazards in exercises and workout in the gym are:

1. Unqualified staff

There are people out there who call themselves personal fitness trainers and instructors with minimal, outdated, or no qualifications.”

 Mitigation

Ask to see certificates and degrees and ensure they are current.

2. Facilities and Equipment malfunction

Hundreds of people may use the gym’s equipment every day. That can cause wear and tear to the equipment, which could lead to malfunction and risks to users. Some facilities and equipment malfunction includes:

• Loose electrical wires
• Heating failure
• Loose dumbbell weights
• Damaged seat on rower

 Mitigation:

Ask the gym staff how often equipment is assessed and repaired, and speak up if you see      something that’s broken.

3. Working practices and client behavior

Clients may choose the wrong exercises or use the improper form. Some of the practices and behaviors includes:

• Diving into a shallow pool
• Stepping on and off a treadmill belt
• Insufficient maintenance checks
• Gym floor insufficiently monitored

Mitigation

Know your limits and know your body better than anyone. If you have special risks or conditions — such as a bad back, high blood pressure, recent surgery  tell the trainer so he or she can tailor your exercise program to your specific needs.

4. Falls

Jumping, running, and moving around various objects in the gym can increase the  risk of tripping and falling.

Mitigation

Be aware of the surroundings. Watch for items that you might trip over — such as a water bottle, hand weight, piece of equipment, sweatshirt, or even a loose set of keys. Then move them to a safer location. Be especially careful in wet areas around showers, pools, and hot tubs, where you’re more likely to slip and fall.

5. Sprains and strains

Trying to lift too much weight, using poor technique, overdoing your workouts, and stretching incorrectly can lead to sprains and strains.

Mitigation

If you are questioning whether you can safely complete a movement, drill, or exercise, it’s probably best to back off in order to ensure you don’t push too hard and injure yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, stop what you’re doing immediately. Then ask for ice, elevate and rest the injured body part, and apply compression to minimize swelling. Tell a gym staff person exactly what happened and document everything.

6. Infections

Germs and bacteria are found everywhere, including gyms. Fungi, bacteria, and viruses are common in wet areas such as showers and swimming pool decks. Sweat left to dry on equipment is also a breeding ground for bacteria.Bacteria can also thrive on used towels on locker room floors, weights, sweaty cardio machines, and benches that members sit on between workouts. Some infections result from stretching mats not disinfected and mould build -up in the shower sealant

Mitigation:

• If the gym has a swimming pool or hot tub, ask the staff how often they are cleaned and how often the chemical balance is checked.
• Wear  “shower shoes” or flip-flops to help minimize the chances of getting athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and viral or bacterial infections.
• Wash your hands frequently, wipe down the equipment before and after you work out, and sit on a towel when in the sauna or on benches
• All gyms should have an automatic sanitizer dispenser

7. Injuries

It is clear that some people who participate in exercise training will develop injuries to their     bones, muscles, and joints. Structural abnormalities, sudden increases in training intensity, and types of equipment used are likely to be related to injury risk.

Mitigation:

• Exercisers should start their program slowly and gradually progress to more intensive training levels.
• They should use good equipment and pay particular attention to proper footwear.
• Exercisers who have had previous injuries should recognize that they may be more susceptible to similar injuries in the future.
• All exercisers should use caution and should monitor their bodies for the early warning signs of injury

8. Sudden Death

Obviously, the most serious complication from an exercise program is sudden death. This is, fortunately, a rare occurrence. Individuals who regularly participate in exercise have a lower risk of dying from a heart attack. There is, however, also evidence that suggests a higher risk of dying during exercise than during sedentary activities. When one considers the total risk of sudden death over a 24-hour period, regular exercisers are much less likely to experience this catastrophe. Virtually all individuals who drop dead suddenly have advanced coronary heart disease.

Mitigation:

• Following good health practices in other aspects of life, such as not smoking, eating a prudent diet, and maintaining an ideal body weight.
• Individuals who are middle-aged or older can probably reduce their risk of sudden death by knowing about their coronary risk status and their general state of health before undertaking an exercise program.