Chapter 24; Facility Policies, Procedures and legal issue's part two: Risk Management

     Part two of Chapter 24 will cover the risk management aspect of working in or running a facility. Much like our previous post we will define some vocabulary words then explain them and how they relate into running a facility. In terms of Risk management there will be legal-ish vocabulary words so bear with me, however Risk Management is something that we implement during our day to day lives without knowing it. On the drive to work today I drove the "speed limit" (take that for what you interpret. I am not going to admit to breaking the law). By driving the speed limit, I lowered my risk of getting into an accident.

    All of the following information does come from Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning 4th edition chapter 24.  

      Risk Management in terms of a definition is the employment of strategies to decrease and control the risk of injury. See how the speed limit metaphor works in this scenario? Cool beans. Now, we are going to use the lenses of the weight room to see how Risk Management applies. 

    Time for some definitions to ensure we are all on the same page:

    Informed Consent: Process of describing an activity to a participant of the inherent risks and benefits. From that information the individual determines participation. Easy money, right? I tell you that the gym will make you swole but on the other hand body dysmorphia may arise. You still down to lift?

    Liability: A legal responsibility, duty or obligation. Simple. If it's my job to train you and you get hurt, then I should act when that injury does occur or do things to prevent you from getting hurt. Would it be wise to load up a bench press then walk away as you struggle? Liability in a nutshell. 

    Standard of care: What a reasonable and prudent person would do in a similar situation. If someone passes out at the gym; a reasonable person would call 911

    Negligence: Failure to act as a reasonable and prudent person would do in a similar situation. This is the opposite of standard of care. Failure of someone to call 911 in the above scenario then a person could potentially be sued for negligence. Four elements must exist for someone to be found negligent: duty, breach of duty, proximate of cause and damages. In our 911 example; not calling 911 in an emergency is a duty of an employee, (or on the flip side a breach of duty for failing to act) further injury suffered (proximate cause and damages).

    So, how would a Strength and Professional mitigate risk? One step is to follow polices regarding who can participate. Before an athlete is allowed to access to the facility they should be cleared by an individual in the sports medicine staff. Not only does this pertain towards personal starting entrance into the facility, but returning from injury, illness or other medical concerns. Now, the strength and conditioning processional does not need a copy of the screening but should have documentation signed by the athlete to show proof. Keep in mind that it is up to the sports medicine staff to allow an athlete to begin formal involvement in the program. Stay in your lane as a strength coach; any deviation would violate your scope of practice. In non-weight room terms, I a plumber would not lay electrical wires to set up lights in a building.