Inadequate cooling in gym. Health & Safety Risk?

ArsenalFC

My local gym has faulty air conditioning units for the past 2 months and it's very difficult to do cardiovascular workout as it's very hot now. About 2 are partially working out of 6 units, although they have a lot of normal fans to keep the temperature down. But it's not enough. Are they in breach of the health and safety legislation? They have known about this for 2 months now.

Also one piece of equipment has been out of order for 2 months, it's bad as that is the only one of it's kind unlike treadmills where they are many. I have emailed a complain to the general manager via there website and have not receive a reply.

I can probably get a month's free membership as another member were offered that with the same complain. Just want to know what the law is on health and safety with excessive heat in the gym.

Halloway

There isn't one. Otherwise people would complain about the saunas.

love-hearts

I have the same problem at my gym, I nearly passed out yesterday while doing a step class, I had to stop because I felt so dizzy and felt like throwing up. I'm a regular at the gym so it wasn't because I'm unfit.

sarahg1969

Instead of emailing, why don't you mention it while you are there?

ArsenalFC

Halloway wrote: »

There isn't one. Otherwise people would complain about the saunas.

Is that a statement of fact? Pretty silly to put sauna in the same context when it's utterly unrelated.

The frontline staff have been informed of this for the past 2 months, information which are pass onto the manager, general manager etc.

pinkshoes

What is the actual temperature in the gym? If you haven't already, take a thermometer and record it.

ArsenalFC

I don't know know the actual temp in the gym and doesn't have a thermometer handy either, it's uncomfortable even working out on the weights. I could only managed 10mins on the treadmill the other day and it was very hard, sweating/itching and out of breathe, usually i'm well comfortable to do 10 mins.

Halloway

ArsenalFC wrote: »

Is that a statement of fact? Pretty silly to put sauna in the same context when it's utterly unrelated.

Actually the first statement is. As for the second, I think you'll find that it's not unknown for a gym or fitness centre to have a sauna.

The restricting factor in defining maximum temperature would be the maximum allowable temperature in the workplace. Except there isn't one. If there's no maximum temperature for a workplace there certainly isn't going to be one for your gym. Happy now?

ABH_3

ArsenalFC wrote: »

I don't know know the actual temp in the gym and doesn't have a thermometer handy either, it's uncomfortable even working out on the weights. I could only managed 10mins on the treadmill the other day and it was very hard, sweating/itching and out of breathe, usually i'm well comfortable to do 10 mins.

I would consider reporting them to something like Trading Standards, afterall they're obviously not meeting expectations as regards 'safety'.

Though ISTR someone telling me they use the same H&S legislation as 'Clubs' ie: as long as you can get some form of hydration like water, then you're expected to only train upto your own tolerances kind of like dancing untill you're too tired to do so, so you stop rehydrate and begin again.

HTH

michael1983l

You will find it is actually more dangerous to work in an air conditioned gym during hot weather than it is to work in a gym without it. The reason for this is if you have pushed yourself to your limit in a nice cool gym, then immidiatly step outside into baking heat, it causes a massive stress on your heart and can initiate arrest if you have any defects that you may not know of. Therfore I doubt you have a leg to stand on about complaining about A/c on the basis of health and safety.

ABH_3

Fwiw I've just asked a mate and he suggests the following avenues maybe worth persuing, if you're dedicated to finding a resolution.

Environmental Health: this is because ALL Gyms have to have a certain number of air changes per day, this of course means contaminated air is evacuated, good clean air replenished.

He also stated that the exact specification for such a building would be found in 'Natural Ventilation In Non-Domestic Buildings' http://www.cibse.org/index.cfm?go=publications.view&item=297

As well as this of course such environments are expected to deliver good ventilation.

HTH