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Hawthorn Farm Athletic Club (HFAC), an independent Club aiming to be an industry leader in safe operations under Covid19 concerns, has been recognized by the State of Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) for, “Going the Distance” in safety and health.
HFAC’s Covid19 safety protocols, known as the Healthy Hawthorn Standard, are featured in an article in the October / November 2020 issue of Oregon OSHA’s Health and Safety Resource Publication (Volume 72, p.30 https://osha.oregon.gov/pubs/newsletters/resource/print/2850-2020-10.pdf).
Oregon OHSA’s report on HFAC’s Healthy Hawthorn Standard described it as, “…excellent. Many aspects of your plan exceeded the guidance documents and represented best practices.” (Consultation Report, p.1).
“This safety recognition is important. There is a common impression that visiting an athletic club is a higher-risk activity. Extensive data collection from business-reported case numbers and States that publish contact tracing instead suggest cases linked to health clubs are exceptionally low.” says Mallory Wheatley, HFAC Director of Business Administration.
Details of HFAC’s Healthy Hawthorn Standard show the many structural reasons why responsible fitness businesses may be equipped to support safe, health-promoting in-person exercise and social support. Examples include,
- HFAC building visitors are health focused and have an ongoing relationship with the business that includes a signed a commitment to conduct policies.
- New and updated behavior standards, including those on face-coverings, handwashing, and surface cleaning, can be effectively and regularly communicated with members and employees through tools like email and social media, and enforced by someone with whom there is an on-going relationship.
- Building and area occupancy limits are managed by an online reservation system that was already built into HFAC’s business software.
- Club visits always require a check-in process. HFAC has added Oregon Health Authority questions and temperature check generally conducted by outdoor reception so anyone not meeting health criteria does not even enter HFAC’s building.
- HFAC’s expansive 68,000 building, including chlorinated pools, large gymnasium space, open areas, and multiple studios allow for very high levels of social distancing.
- Already powerful air-handling systems were further upgraded and include MERV13 filtration.
“The pandemic hit our industry early and hard. But right away, we knew no matter what, HFAC’s business decisions would put safety and relationships first. We have been a part of this community for twenty years and will be for decades to come. People’s well-being is the most important. Right now, people need connection, motivation, support, and they need physical activity. It’s our job to deliver that safely, however we can. To have our collective efforts recognized by employees, members and now OSHA motivates us in the toughest moments. It means a lot.” Heidi Sivers Boyce, President, Hawthorn Farm Athletic Club
About Hawthorn Farm Athletic Club
Hawthorn Farm Athletic Club is an independent club owned and managed by the 3rd generation family real-estate development company that built HFAC 20 years ago. HFAC is highly community and overall lifestyle focused, serving all ages and fitness levels the broader Hillsboro region with healthy activities inside and outside of the building.