Playground safety begins when you start the process of
obtaining playground equipment.
Safety must be included in your playground from design through
construction and throughout the life of the playground. This means that design,
manufacturing, construction, daily use of the play area and ongoing maintenance
all have safety aspects that must be addressed. As the playground owner you are
responsible to incorporate safety throughout the process as you choose what
equipment you use, what borders, which type of surfacing and where you locate
the play area.
First, be sure the people who are working with you on your
project are Certified Playground Safety Inspectors by the National Playground
Safety Institute. This gives you a reasonable insurance that they understand
the playground safety guidelines and standards that are in place. Check that
the manufacturers you are working with have third party certification of compliance
with the latest safety standards. IPEMA certification is one type of third
party certification. Be sure to ask for and retain all documentation that these
people provide to your organization.
When designing your play area, take into account safety factors
related to the topography and location of the play area. Look for safety
hazards such as deep or swift moving water, electrical boxes or wires, roads
and other things that could lead to accidents or tragedies. When picking the equipment you will use, be
sure that it meets the needs of the children in your neighborhood. Address
issues such as age appropriateness, fall heights, use zones and types of
material used (wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.) during the planning of
your play area project.
Playgrounds invite children and this seems especially true
while the playground is under construction. It is very important to use
installers who respect a child’s curiosity and are willing to put forth the
effort to fully contain the work area and keep it safe from hazards to your
community. Safety ribbon is not an adequate safety device to keep children out
of a construction area. Use a solid fencing system, with signage that warns of
construction taking place. Have safety meetings with the installers to ensure
that they understand worksite safety issues (see “Installer Insights”). Inform
the neighbors and staff of the construction schedule and ask for their
cooperation in helping to keep the construction zone off-limits to children.
The playground industry, including designers, manufacturers,
sales firms, installers and playground owners, all have a duty to incorporate a
child’s safety into their playground projects. Parents and children also have a
responsibility to understand and practice playground safety. Programs like
Slyde the Playground Hound, Peaceful Playgrounds and the National Program for
Playground Safety can give suggestions for playground safety behavior.
Finally, it is the responsibility of the playground owner to
provide complete and thorough maintenance to the playground. Most manufacturers
have training aids to assist in a complete and documented playground
maintenance program. The National Playground Safety Institute can also help
steer you in the right direction.
Playground and safety are two words that have been used
together extensively in the past 30 years for the good of children worldwide.
Incorporate these two words into your organization’s priority list, put them
into your risk management program and practice good playground safety. It may
save a child a trip to the emergency room.
