Abstract
This article reports and discusses the results of a study designed to assess selected risk-management practices of NIRSA fitness directors. The purpose of this study was to examine: (a) compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standard, (b) adherence to selected American Heart Association (AHA)/ACSM recommendations for cardiovascular screening, staffing, and emergency policies at health/fitness facilities, and (c) selected risk-management practices. A cover letter and questionnaire were electronically mailed to all NIRSA members who subscribed to the association's listserv asking them to forward the message to their institution's fitness director. A total of 53 responses were received. Data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistics are provided. Results suggest that most programs were complying with many of the OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards. Likewise, most respondents indicated that their programs were following many of the AHA/ACSM recommendations. However, several responses suggested that programs were in violation of certain OSHA standards and/or were not adhering to the AHA/ACSM recommendations. In today's litigious society, and in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths, it has become imperative for fitness directors to practice sound risk-management techniques.
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