Title: Implementation and perception of risk management practices in health/fitness facilities

Authors: Betul Sekendiz

Addresses: School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Building 81, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton Qld 4701, Australia

Abstract: The health/fitness industry is an important contributor to the national preventative health policies against obesity and associated health risk factors. However, inappropriately designed programs and services can increase the risk of injuries and adverse health outcomes that can expose health/fitness facility operators and employees to risk of litigation. Therefore, the importance of comprehensive risk management in the health/fitness industry is pronounced. A cross-sectional survey of risk management practices in the health/fitness facilities in Queensland, Australia suggested that process related programmatic risk management practices were suboptimal, whereas 'waivers' and 'insurance' were implemented and valued the most. The findings highlight the need for the education and training of health/fitness facility managers in comprehensive risk management programs in the health/fitness facilities for reasonably safe services that can help to minimise the risk of legal liability.

Keywords: health and fitness industry; health facilities; fitness facilities; gyms; legal liability; personal injuries; risk management; emergency planning; insurance; waivers; public health policies; obesity; health risks; safety; Queensland; Australia; implementation; perceptions; programmatic practices; education; training; facility management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2014.066148

International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 2014 Vol.5 No.3, pp.165 - 183

Received: 05 Apr 2014
Accepted: 04 Jul 2014
Published online: 12 Dec 2014 *

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