Risk Management Sport Facility Assessment

Risk Management Sport Facility Assessment

Facility Description
Eastview High School basketball gymnasium is an indoor sports facility that is used as an
activity center of the school and the community. It also includes a sports team in basketball,
junior-level basketball, physical education (PE) classes, after-school programs, and community
programs like local tournaments and youth clinics. It contains a full basketball court, team locker
rooms, and folding bleachers that can accommodate around 600 spectators. The rate of use ofthe
gym by the students, staff, and the general population is high. Therefore, it is essential to have
a safe environment to prevent injuries and reduce liability risks. Risk assessment focuses on
three areas that are urgent in the facility, such as basketball court, locker rooms, and spectator
seats, to determine the potential of risks, assess risks, and provide the corrective measures that would
ensure safety and compliance with the standards,s such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) parameters.

Risk Assessment

Basketball Court
Hazards:
The main playing area is a maple hardwood floor that is usually in good condition, but
some spots have been worn and somewhat uneven along the free-throw line, which may prove to
be hazardous when it comes to slips and injuries to the ankle. The walls at the back of both
baselines are less than six feet distant at the back of the court, and the padding is minimal- a
possible impactful danger in the fast-paced play. The lights are good, though somewhat dim.
around one corner, something that may interfere with visibility in case of games or practice. Also, loose basketball equipment, like extra balls and benches that are stored on the sidelines,
may hinder locomotion and become hazardous by causing tripping.
Security:
Referees, staff, and coaches offer supervision during official games. Nevertheless, the
supervision during open gym time is not consistent, and the possibility of unsupervised play can
lead to accidents or property damage. There is a lack of video surveillance coverage of the
facility, and the camera is not facing the far end of the court.
Signage:
The entrance writes down basic gym rules and emergency exit signs, but
some of the signage is old and partly covered. There is no signage on concussion awareness, safe
play reminders, or emergency procedures.
ADA Access:
The gym has a ramp-accessible main entrance and wide doors that allow access for
wheelchairs. However, there is minimal space between the team benches and the scorer's table
that restricts the movement of people using mobility equipment.
Locker Rooms
Hazards:
The locker rooms accommodate both male and female athletes and are fitted with
showers, benches, and storage lockers. The floor tiling is strong and usually slips when wet,
particularly around the shower doors. The drainage is not sufficient, resulting in standing water,
which increases slipperiness (Zhang et al., 2023). The amount of ventilation is minimal and may
lead to the possibility of the buildup of humidity and the growth of molds in the long run. There
is also a risk of minor injuries due to the sharp parts of metal lockers and open hooks.

Security:
Teams and staff can access the locker rooms with keycard access, although in instances,
doors are sometimes left propped open during practices or community events, and this interferes
with privacy and security. No internal cameras (due to privacy issues); however, the area outside
The entrance is not monitored, which makes it more susceptible to unauthorized access or
theft.
Signage:
Safety and hygiene instructions are basic, with not all emergency exit directions and wet
floor warnings being visible. Moreover, no reminders about the injury or unsafe condition
reporting are posted to employees.
ADA Access:
Although a single shower stall and a single toilet cubicle in each locker room should be
wheelchair accessible, the locker room space is relatively narrow, and some of the benches are
permanent, which do not allow them to move around. The available shower stall has grab bars
fitted in it correctly; however, the showerhead is not adjustable in height, which restricts its use
by certain people.
Spectator Seating (Bleachers)
Hazards:
The retractable seats consist of aluminum and can hold up to 600 spectators. The steps
may get slippery during events when spectators carry food or beverages. There are loose or
missing handrails, especially on high levels, which expose people to the possibility of falling.
Personal items and bags block evacuation pathways behind bleachers with ease due to the
significant events, thus posing risks during emergencies. The bleacher system is manual, and in some instances, it may jam upon retracting, which could be dangerous to the maintenance personnel.
personnel.
Security:
School staff and volunteer security personnel are posted close to entrances and exits in
the event of a game to control the flow of people. Nevertheless, security presence is not
consistent during community events and may create difficulties with crowd control. There is no
specific emergency communication system, e.g., a public address intercom inside the gym.
Signage:
There is exit and emergency signage, but the signage is not lit, thus it can hardly be seen
during a power outage or low-light conditions. There are no warning signs that can be seen to
advise spectators against climbing railings and standing on seats.
ADA Access:
There are special seats assigned to ADA, which are located at the lower part of the
bleachers, and there are only two seats, not the best viewpoints. The companion seats are not
placed near these spaces, which does not allow inclusivity among spectators with disabilities.

Recommendations

Basketball Court
To promote safety, the damaged part of the hardwood floor ought to be refinished, and the
rest of the floor ought to be regularly checked as to whether there are uneven parts or not, and or
whether there is an accumulation of moisture. The wall padding must be expanded in both
baselines to cushion players against collision injuries. Better storage facilities, e.g., balls and
equipment racks, should be introduced to empty the sideline obstructions. Moreover, brighter
LED lights ought to be fitted as a way of enhancing visibility (Gentile, 2022). Security would be improved by covering the entire area with cameras and ensuring that the staff undergoes constant
supervision during all the open gym sessions. The old exit and rule signs are to be changed with
high-contrast and well-seen signage, which incorporates concussion knowledge and first aid
guidelines. Lastly, more space around the benches must be vacated or reorganized to be
ADA-compliant and allow all participants to move around with ease.
Locker Rooms
The installation of non-slip rubber floors in the shower areas and adequate drainage will
help a great deal in avoiding slipping. The ventilation system must also be improved to
increase the air circulation and to inhibit the growth of molds that would make the Environment
healthEnvironmentet al., 2024). The corners of lockers and benches must be curved or have safety
guards to prevent minor injuries. One can make sure that locker room doors are closed and
locked when not used, and also place hallway cameras near entrances to keep track of the traffic.
Signs marking wet floors and emergency exits must also be moved to visible locations, and other
ADA adaptations, like a showerhead that can be adjusted and broader walkways, should also be
prioritized to satisfy the accessibility requirements.
Spectator Seating
Repairing the loose handrails should be done right away, and bleacher steps should be
provided with non-slip tread strips to minimize the fall rate. Bleachers should have emergency
exits that are maintained empty at all times, which will be monitored by visible signs and event
staff. To avoid injuries related to the manual operation of the bleachers, the school should
consider upgrading to electric bleacher systems that have safety locks. It would improve
visibility and adherence to the OSHA standards by installing light exit signs and including safety
warnings at the fronts of bleachers (OSHA, 2022). Additional ADA seating can be developed by providing companion chairs so that they can be placed in areas that have central views. Regular
training of the staff on the issue of crowd control and general evacuation will also improve the
overall safety of the events.

Conclusion

Eastview High School's basketball gymnasium has many positive opportunities aiming at
offering sports and community participation, yet several problems of safety and access should be resolved. The significant risks are surface hazards, inappropriate signage, ADA
accommodations, and inconsistency of supervision. The suggested improvements will significantly
reduce the risk of injuries due to the planned resurfacing activities of the court, ventilating the
lockers, safety of the bleachers, and signs, as well as checking the liability. These changes would
not only make sure that the requirements of both the OSHA and ADA are complied with, but they
would also improve a culture of safety and responsibility within the athletic program. The
upstream risk management will safeguard students, staff members,s and spectators and eventually
enhance the school’s imageoft sporting excellence and service to society.

References

‌Gentile, N. (2022). Improving lighting energy efficiency through user response. Energy and
Buildings, 263, 112022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112022
‌Mucha, W., Mainka, A., & Brągoszewska, E. (2024). Impact of ventilation system retrofitting on
indoor air quality in a single-family building. Building and Environment, 262, Environmentt30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111830
OSHA. (2022). Exit Signs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Osha.gov.
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2022-05-25
Zhang, C., Liu, N., Chen, K., & Ren, F. (2023). Study on drainage mode and anti-clogging
performance of a new waterproofing and drainage system in a tunnel. Scientific
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