Federal Agency Neglects Gym Safety, Reports OIG

On Nov 13, 2024

Consumer Product Safety Commission Violates ADA Accessibility Regulations

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been found to violate the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as other safety and security policies at several employee facilities, according to a new inspector general’s report. This revelation highlights the importance of ADA compliance for all workplaces to ensure accessibility for all employees.

Management Alert Report Highlights Fitness Facility Failures

In a management alert report published on November 8, it was disclosed that three CPSC fitness facilities, meant for agency employees, violated regulations. These facilities either lacked an access control system, didn’t conduct pre-activity screening for employees needing medical clearance, didn’t require employees to sign waivers for access, or at one facility, failed to provide sufficient floor space for wheelchair accessibility as per ADA requirements.

Other Compliance Violations

Furthermore, CPSC officials were found to have inadequate documentation of fitness equipment inspection, maintenance, and repair over three years. They also did not include certain custodial services mandated by General Services Administration (GSA)-issued regulations in their cleaning contracts.

“The CPSC must comply with applicable regulations to ensure the health, safety, and accessibility of all its employees,” states the report. Non-compliance can result in the violation of the agency’s occupancy agreement with GSA.

Multiple Breaches at Three Fitness Facilities

The inspector general’s report scrutinized three fitness facilities — a 3,000-square-foot facility at CPSC headquarters, a 220-square-foot facility at the National Product Testing and Evaluation Center (NPTEC), and a 100-square-foot facility, finding multiple violations of GSA and Office of Personnel Management regulations.

Both the NPTEC and the 100-square-foot fitness facilities were found lacking the requisite access control system. Despite GSA rules prohibiting contractors from using these facilities, 25 contractors accessed the HQ fitness center between May 2022 and June 2023, one of whom accounted for ten percent of the facility usage.

Other violations include not requiring employees to sign waivers and informed consent forms at any of its fitness facilities or conducting pre-activity screening to identify potential medical risks from fitness equipment usage.

According to ADA, a minimum of 30 inches by 48 inches of floor space must be available for equal access, but this was violated by the NPTEC facility, which didn’t provide enough room to access its free weights due to other blocking equipment.

Mandatory Custodial Services Omitted

It was also discovered that CPSC’s cleaning contracts for the fitness facilities did not include GSA mandated services, such as:

Periodic maintenance of group fitness room floors (including stripping, buffing, and waxing if wood)
Cleaning, disinfecting, and dusting fitness equipment including machines, mats, etc.
Cleaning and disinfecting under equipment like cardio-vascular machines
Cleaning and disinfecting full-length mirrors
Cleaning and disinfecting inside lockers
Providing shower gel
Providing cloth towel service

Furthermore, CPSC did not provide cleaning contracts for the NPTEC and 100-square-foot facilities at all.

CPSC’s Response

Following the report, CPSC officials have committed to ensuring compliance with OPM’s Employee Health Services Handbook and the ADA Accessibility Standards in future operations of CPSC fitness centers. They have also reaffirmed their intention to adhere to GSA regulations for such facilities.

consumer product safety commission inspector general