It’s never too soon to launch a regular inspection program for gym equipment and sports fields. Facility managers should schedule inspections of all indoor and outdoor sports equipment and develop a record management system to protect against liability. Identifying and fixing a minor issue today can prevent expensive equipment replacements and reduce risk of player and spectator injury.
Ceiling and Wall Mounted
If you’re unable to find the manufacturer and age of your ceiling, wall-suspended equipment, or any sports equipment with moving parts, budget for new equipment.
Periodically inspect your backstops, divider curtains, and all related equipment and attachments. Frequency of inspections depends on use of the equipment. Monitor the date inspected and the current status — satisfactory, cleaned, needs repaired or replaced, or problem found. Look for frayed cables, loose bolts, weak welds, rough edges, or any excessive wear and tear and document you have brought concerns to the facility operator’s attention.
Ceiling and wall-suspended structures should have a safety belt added in case of equipment failure. Padding should be replaced every 10 years or more often if damaged.
Safety Padding
Head and limb injuries can occur due to contact with hard or sharp surfaces. Invest in wall and stage padding, and make sure the padding on all sports equipment, scorers tables and bleachers is in good condition. Safety padding in your indoor and outdoor facilities also need scheduled inspection, care and cleaning.
Volleyball
Most volleyball standards are heavy and awkward to transport. Consider replacing with lighter weight materials such as carbon fiber or aluminum. Portables are often the best solution for multi-purpose venues. At minimum, purchase wall brackets or carts to reduce the risk of transport injury.
Soccer
Goals should be commercially manufactured according to ASTM International standards and must be installed with the proper ballast and anchors for the goal design. Most tip-over injuries occur during non-game times, so proper storage procedures are critical.
Football
To prevent injuries to spectators, bleachers should be labeled for safety concerns such as pinch points or sharp edges. Bleachers are subject to regulations by various local and state agencies, and older bleachers should be updated or replaced if not in compliance. Goalposts often require finish maintenance and replacement padding.
Equipment Age
Visually inspecting the static equipment may not be enough to identify serious safety risks, so plan to observe what’s in use. It can’t be denied that athletes are demanding more of sports equipment today and major manufacturers continuously redesign products to meet changing safety requirements.
When in Doubt, Contact the Manufacturer
Maintain a file with product instructions and review them for installation and maintenance schedules, contacting the manufacturer with any questions. Major sports equipment manufacturers have product design engineers on staff if you have any safety concerns. Those up-to-date on ASTM International technical standards should be able to advise which equipment is suitable for your intended purpose.
Nick Cusick is a co-founder and the CEO of Bison Inc. They provide innovative, safe and sustainable products to rec centers and more for indoor and outdoor sports and recreation activities. For more info, visit bisoninc.com.
