Tools & Resources

Sample Safety Checklist – Gymnasium Equipment

Description

Schools must develop a procedure for regular inspection of gymnasium equipment with appropriate follow-up.  This sample checklist could be used as a guide for schools.

Badminton
  • Racquets are useable (no splinters or broken strings)
Badminton Net
  • No exposed wires along the top and/or no frayed wires along poles
  • No tears and holes
Badminton Posts
  • Hooks and standards are in good condition
Ball Hockey/Floor Hockey
  • Goals: Welds and frames are in good condition
  • Plastic ball hockey sticks are free of cracks and have no broken edges/ends
  • Stick blades are secure to the shaft of the stick
  • Wooden floor hockey sticks have no splinters
Balls
  • All balls are properly inflated
Emergency Equipment
  • First aid kit is fully stocked and accessible
  • Emergency phone numbers are posted
  • There is access to phone/office via the public announcement system
Gymnastics Equipment - Balance Beam
  • Balance beam is stable and level
  • No tears in the covering (rips may be glued down)
  • Height-adjustment mechanism is functional and in good condition
Gymnastics Equipment - Floor Exercise Tumbling Mats
  • No holes (rips may be taped)
  • Uniform thickness and compaction throughout
  • Velcro fasteners are in good condition
Gymnastics Equipment - Mini-Trampoline
  • Stable with height-adjustment knobs in good condition
  • All springs in place with hooks pointing down or all elastic cables are in good condition
  • Frame pads completely cover springs/cables and frame
  • Non-slip rubber feet are in good condition
  • Rebounding/Take-off surface is in good condition
Gymnastics Equipment - Pommel Horse
  • Pommel horse is stable and level
  • No tears in covering (rips may be taped or glued down)
  • Height-adjustment mechanism is in good condition
  • Pommels are smooth with no chalk build-up
Gymnastics Equipment - Rings
  • Ring stand (if used) is secure and vertical (see Uneven Bars)
  • No kinks or knots in the steel cables
  • No exposed frayed wires
  • Leather/webbing straps have been checked for wear
  • No splinters, cracks or chalk build-up on ring surface
Gymnastics Equipment - Take-off Board (not a springboard)
  • Free of splinters and broken tops/legs
  • Floor protection pads in good condition
  • Carpeted non-slip take-off surface in good condition
  • All bolts tightened and rubber non-slip pads in good condition
Gymnastics Equipment - Parallel Bars/Uneven Parallel Bars/High Bar
  • Floor hooks are in good condition
  • No “S” hooks
  • If quick-links are used, they must be fully threaded
  • Turnbuckle hooks are functional and fully threaded
  • No kinks or knots in steel cables
  • No exposed frayed cables
  • Loops in cables have been checked for wear
  • Height-adjustment mechanism is in good condition
  • Wood/fiberglass rails have no cracks, splinters or caked-on chalk
  • Steel rail is straight
Gymnastics Equipment - Vault and Box Horse
  • Pad and cover are free from tears and wearing
  • There is sufficient padding to absorb impact
  • Inner posts are solid (box horse)
  • Height-adjustment mechanism is in good condition
  • Free of cracks and splinters
  • Nuts, bolts and screws are tight
High Jump
  • Standards, base, attachments and uprights in good condition
  • Portable pit cover is free of tears
  • Portable pit foam is in good condition
  • Fiberglass crossbars is free of cracks and splinters
Hoops
  • No cracks and bends
Mats (for example, gymnastics, wrestling)
  • Covers are free of tears and wearing
  • Foam is in good condition
  • Velcro fasteners are functional
Permanent Climbing Walls
  • Inspect all climbing elements (for example, ropes, zip lines, harnesses, carabiners, helmets, and ladders)
Pool Equipment
  • Reaching assists are in working order
  • Lane ropes are in working order
  • Life jackets are in good condition
  • Spinal board is in good condition
  • Ring buoy is in good condition
  • Starting blocks are secure (when in place)
  • Bench tops and supports are free from cracks and splinters
  • Bolts and screws are secure
Scooter Boards
  • Wheels are secure
  • Boards are free of cracks and broken edges
Softball
  • Wooden and metal bats are not cracked
  • Grips are not worn.
Volleyball Net
  • No exposed wires along the top and/or no frayed wires along poles
  • No tears and holes
Volleyball Posts
  • Hooks, pulls and ratchets are in good condition

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