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Meet Safety
By: Doug Daniels
Industry
spends hundreds of millions of dollars or more each year to improve the
safety of the workplace, yet did we as lifters ever stop to think about
the issue of safety at a powerlifting meet? Granted, we are not confronted
with explosive gases, molten steel or kilowatts of electricity, but there
are safety issues involved in lifting competition. The question is how
can each lifter prepare to insure that his competitive experience is a
safe one?
The meet director
has the responsibility to provide each lifter at his meet the safest possible
conditions, yet there are no real standards that have to be met by any
organization. For example, spotters carry no 'accreditation'. They are
usually local 'gym rats', many of whom have never even seen a lifting meet
let alone spotted someone squatting 700 pounds or more. Sometimes in a
pinch, spotters are volunteers from the crowd. The meet director should
also provide properly working equipment, which should include locking collars,
sturdy squat racks, and non-slippery platforms. But as many of you veteran
lifters know, this varies greatly from meet to meet. Too many meets are
equipped with unsafe equipment and inexperienced spotters and loaders.
Taking that
into consideration, each lifter must basically look out for themselves.
I would suggest working together with your buddies who accompany you to
the contest. Before each attempt, one of you would check to make sure the
bar is loaded symmetrically on each side. Sometimes one loader will not
load the bar correctly and the bar will be heavy or light on his side.
This can prove to be dangerous to the lifter as well as the spotters as
this greatly increases a chance of the lifter missing the lift due to loss
of balance. Also, make sure the collars are put on securely and the plates
are tight together from the inside collar to the outside collar. Loose
plates can also compromise control during execution of the lift. Another
good check is to make sure the platform is dry and uncluttered. Spotters
may get lazy and not put the loose plates back on the rack, which can create
a serious tripping hazard. Another hazard is excessive chalk dust
on the platform. Have the spotters wipe the dust up occasionally. As the
squats proceed, I have seen the racks edge farther and farther forward
until they are almost tipping over the platform. This is caused by the
many re-racks after squat attempts. If the racks are not pushed back where
they were originally, the rack may tip off the platform with the loaded
bar not far behind. If you see an unsafe situation, let the head judge
know as soon as possible.
The squat is usually
the lift that competitors miss the most attempts in. The lifter's duty
is to try to stay with the bar if he misses an attempt. The spotters may
not be able to catch the weight if the lifter drops it off his back. This
places everyone including the lifter in a dangerous situation.
The platform is
not the only place where there are safety concerns. Perhaps even a greater
threat is the warm-up room. Over the years I have written a lot about warm-up
rooms. They are basically free-for-all areas with an every man for himself
attitude. There is no structure or order in the warm-up room. There are
no spotters or loaders dedicated to it, each lifter must take care of himself.
I do not want to give you the impression that no one helps each other back
there, but you must be aware that the ultimate responsibility of safety
rest totally on you. You can contribute significantly to safety in the
warm-up room by making sure you have no lifting gear etc., in the way where
lifters are warming-up or walking. Be considerate and help spot (safely)
fellow lifters in the room. In turn, they will spot you. When walking around
the warm-up room, be aware of things going on around you like lifters warming-up
or wrapping, a collision could be disastrous. If you are not lifting or
warming-up, you can really help things by staying out of the warm-up room
and watching from the audience.
With the amount
of attention in the last few years given to infectious virus's etc., it
is important and good hygiene to wash your hands regularly. Bring some
bandages and antiseptic for your own use in case you cut yourself or rip
calluses. It's just common sense.
I did not mean to
frighten anyone about the safety at lifting contests. For the most part
they are safe but accidents do occur. Safety is common sense, plain and
simple. Just be aware of unsafe conditions and act accordingly. If you
notice a problem at the meet, let the meet director or judges know. Though
lifting at meets does not present the same danger that a zillion kilowatts
does, awareness will help insure a safe and rewarding competitive experience.
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Reproduction of this article, in whole or part, for
any purposed other than personal use is prohibited without written consent.
Copyright 1999 Doug Daniels. |
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