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INSURANCE
Why insurance matters
Within the REPs mission statement exercise professionals are called to “safeguard...the health and interests of the people who use their services.”
This means that members should not only engage in activities which promote exercise but also ensure all such activities are conducted in an environment that is as free of risk as possible.
There are some very simple steps that every member can follow to help ensure activities are as safe as possible: l Undertake risk assessments of your activities. Identify who could be harmed and how, and identify the measures needed to minimise any risks. l If you have anyone assisting you, remember you could be liable for their actions - ensure that they are familiar with the precautions needed to safeguard themselves and other people, and make sure that they follow any safety rules you lay down. l Ensure there is an appropriate ratio of instructors to clients within any group sessions to ensure that at all times the safety of all clients is never compromised by participating in a group rather than an individual session. l Systematically prepare for the activity and make participants aware of their personal responsibilities in terms of safety including the safe use of equipment. l If you are working from your own premises, ensure that you minimise any risks arising from your premises. Common hazards include trailing cables and uneven or wet surfaces which could result in trips and slips. l Remember when working away from your own premises to ensure that you minimise any risks to others who may pass by but not be involved in the activity.
Insurance company w looks at the need for a comprehensive policy cover
So having ensured potential risks have been identified and minimised, why is insurance needed? The simple answer is that accidents can still occur and no matter how much you may argue that you are blameless, the courts may disagree and consider you have neglected your duty of care to others.
This is where liability insurance affords you - and by extension your clients and the public - protection. Insurance for liability towards the public may not be compulsory, as is the case with motor insurance for example, but only the most reckless individual would ever knowingly fail to hold cover.
REPs recognises that it is in the wider interests of the exercise industry to ensure all members have appropriate insurance cover in place. To comply with the Register’s Code of Ethical Practice, those registered must maintain their own policy or be insured by their employer for the entire duration of their membership.
While the REPs team checks members hold insurance cover at the point of registration and re-registration, it states in the REPs Code of Ethical Conduct that those registered must have adequate liability insurance, therefore it’s important that you let the team know if your policy expires or changes (for example leaving an employer) between re-registrations.
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