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A
review sparked by the death of young
gymnast Michelle Maitland in 2009 has found
Queensland gymnastics and trampoline clubs
are still not doing enough to keep participants safe.
The report “Assessment of safety during gymnastics activities
2011” issued by the Queensland Department of Justice and
Attorney-General looked at safety in a quarter of the state’s
gymnastics clubs and found the risk of contact with all possible
hard surfaces was controlled in only 8 per cent of facilities.
During assessments of 26 facilities and 62 site visits, Workplace
Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors issued 37
enforcement notices to clubs, most commonly for contact with
hard surfaces such as unprotected gymnastic equipment. The
second most common issue was use of unaccredited coaches.
The 25-page report includes nine recommendations to improve
safety.
Michelle’s mother, Anne Maitland, said the report showed critical
improvements in the safety of the sport were clearly overdue. It
is understood that the Northern Coroner is conducting an inquest
within the next few months. The Coroner will determine if more
still needs to be done to make clubs comply with regulations or if
criminal charges are to be recommended to the DPP.
Michelle fell and hit her head on a concrete floor that was not
covered by a safety mat at the Aitkenvale gym. She died a day
later in hospital.
As reported in Issue 9 of Touchline, the Townsville
Gymnastics Association was fined $70,000 last year
for breaching safety obligations that led to her death.
Report recommendations:
1.
Gymnastics Australia should review the level of training,
assistance and monitoring provided to clubs to implement the Club
10 program. This review should include the methods of monitoring
compliance with, and implementation of, the program.
2.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Sport and
Recreation Services (SRS) and Gymnastics Queensland should
research how to link improved safety outcomes in the sport of
gymnastics with the funding and non-financial support provided
by SRS.
3.
Gymnastics Australia should review their GA lesson
plan template, in consultation with its members, with the view to
developing a lesson plan template that includes coach positioning
and key safety controls. Consideration should be given to sample
lesson plans for each apparatus and level.
4.
Gymnastics Australia should conduct a training needs
analysis and ensure that access to coach accreditation and
professional development courses is available.
5.
Gymnastics Australia should research and develop
methods to assist gymnastics clubs to conduct risk assessments,
specifically in the use of gymnastics apparatus.
6.
Gymnastics Australia should review the Club 10
equipment maintenance policies and procedures with a view
to achieving greater compliance with Club 10 documenting
processes.
7.
Gymnastics Australia should research and develop
methods to assist gymnastics clubs in managing the risk of manual
task injuries in gymnastic coaches.
8.
Gymnastics Australia should review coach knowledge
on spotting and provide additional guidance and training where
required.
9.
Gymnastics Australia should research the viability of
a simple method to document skill progression of gymnasts,
including injury management. This may vary for high level
competitive gymnasts and low level or recreational gymnasts.
Contact with hard surfaces still an issue for
Queensland Gymnastics clubs
Assessment of safety
during gymnastics
activities
2011
touchline
7
Update