FIA/RoSPA partnership to focus on sector's 'quality and safety'

Image: David Stalker (left) and David Rushton

The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have joined forces in a bid to improve the "quality and safety" of the UK's physical activity sector.

The two organisations have entered into a new partnership that will include collaboration in a number of areas – such as policy, industry initiatives, training programmes and campaigns.

More than 3,000 FIA members will be able to access RoSPA services including a telephone helpline offering free initial advice on water and leisure health and safety issues.

Members will also have the chance to report incidents or near-misses for inclusion on the Water Incident Database - hosted by RoSPA on behalf of the National Water Safety Forum - as well as preferential rates on RoSPA consultancy, membership and playground inspections.

RoSPA head of education and leisure David Rushton said: "We will be able to provide thousands of health and fitness operators and suppliers with the information and advice they need to take a balanced approach to health and safety.

"We hope this will raise standards of health and safety management across the industry, thus reducing unnecessary injuries, while also promoting the many benefits of physical activity."

FIA CEO David Stalker added: "One of the FIA's core aims has always been to improve quality and standards across the physical activity sector and to help our members prevent accidents in their facilities.

"This partnership builds upon our commitment to health and safety and offers FIA members access to key resources such as the RoSPA helpline, helping those working at the coalface of the sector to keep updated and access support when they need it."

Details: www.fia.org.uk