Playground Safety & Maintenance - Wild Apricot
Playground Safety & Maintenance Jodi L. TraasCertified PlaygroundSafety InspectorSenior Risk ManagementConsultantCommunity InsuranceCorporation
U.S. Organizations Concerned withPlayground Safety CPSC – US Consumer Products Safety commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety, Pub. No. 325 (2008) Handbook for Home Playground Safety, Pub. No 324 (2005) Only Federal Agency that has authority to have equipment removed www.cpsc.gov Federal Guideline (1981-2008)ASTM – American Society for Testing & Materials National Voluntary Standard F1487-11 (2011) www.astm.org Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for PlaygroundEquipment for Public Use World’s largest voluntary standard
Other Relevant ASTM Standards F2373 – Standard Consumer Safety PerformanceSpecification for Public Use Play Equipment forChildren 6 months through 23 months (2005)F1292 – Method to Test Impact Attenuation ofSafety Surfacing for PlaygroundsF1951 – Method to Test Accessibility of SafetySurfacing for PlaygroundsF2049 – Guide for fencing/Barriers forPlaygrounds (Use this if decide to fence)F2075 – Engineered Wood Fiber Safety Surfacing(15 different manufacturers)
U.S. Organizations Concerned withPlayground Safety IPEMA – International Playground EquipmentManufacturers Association New designs are sent to IPEMAPiece of equipment is IPEMA Certified not amanufacturerwww.ipema.orgNPCA – National Playground Contractor’sAssociation www.playground-contractors.org/International organization
U.S. Organizations Concerned withPlayground Safety NPSI – National Playground Safety Institute www.nrpa.orgCertified Playground Safety Inspector Course &CertificationNPPS - National Program for Playground Safety www.uni.edu/playground/Videotapes, newsletters and a SAFE PlaygroundSupervision Kitwww.playgroundsafety.org
Significant Revisions for CPSC 2008 Equipment guidelines for toddlers, guidelinesfor track rides and log rolls, exit zonerequirements for slidesCritical height table revised, suggestions forsurfacing over asphalt addedSuggestions on sun exposure addedEditorial changes to make the handbookeasier to understand and use
U.S. Law Is there a national playground safety law? NOWI enforces playground safety criteria as a“Standard of Care”All new or rebuilt playgrounds are subject to theADAAG (American with Disabilities ActAccessibility Guidelines), ADA/ABAInstallation Procedures
Additional Information Magazine Today’s Playgroundwww.todaysplayground.com 30/year Wis. Stats. 895.52,Recreational Use Statute
Wisconsin’s Playground Safety ReportCard 2000 C2004 B Park Grade 2000 D 2004 B School Grade2000 C 2004 B UNITED STATES C
U.S. Law Is there a national playground safety law? NOWI enforces playground safety criteria as a“Standard of Care”All new or rebuilt playgrounds are subject to theADAAG (American with Disabilities ActAccessibility Guidelines)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines(ADAAG) Federal Register October 2000 http://www.accessboard.gov/ada-aba/final.cfm Approach, Enter & UseMinimum Number of accessibleplay components both groundlevel and elevated playcomponentsFirm, stable & slip resistantaccessible route (60-inchpathway)IPEMA Checklist for Access
NEISS National Electronic InjurySurveillance SystemCPSC has operated astatistically valid injurysurveillance and followback system for 30 years.It has become an importantpublic health research tool.
How often is a Child Injured on aPlayground in America? One every 2 ½minutes
Injury Pyramid DeathStrangulation & Brain DamagePhysical Paralysis/Organ LossAmputation/BlindnessFractures & Sever BurnsSerious LacerationSprains & DislocationsSimple Bruises, Cuts and Scratches Greater frequency of injuries, then theseverity increases!Playground injury every 2.5 minutes
Public Playgrounds vs. HomePlaygrounds Nearly 76% of all injuriesoccurred on publicplaygrounds (45% inschools)While 70% of deathsoccurred on homeplaygroundsPercentage of deathsgreater for boys (62%)
Causes of PublicPlayground Injuries 44% - EquipmentUse & Supervision36% - PoorMaintenance10% - ImproperEquipment6% - PoorInstallation4% - Poor Layout
Playground Layout AccessibilityAge SeparationConflicting ActivitiesSight LinesSignage and/or LabelingSupervisionSun Exposure: Exposed bare metal slides, platforms,steps and surfacing – provide warnings or located out of thesunExposure during most intense part of the day (10-2)Consider shading or providing shaded areas nearby
Ages of Those Injured on PublicPlaygrounds 2 3%2-4 27% (most at riskfor life threateninginjuries)5-9 56%10-12 12%13-14 2%
Falls are Cause of Most Injuries 79% of all playgroundinjuries are FallsFalls are the MOSTCOMMON cause of injuryon PUBLIC Playgrounds 68% are falls to surface10% are falls to other parts ofthe equipment1 % are falls to unknown
Causes of Playground Injuries 11% Impact 8% impact with stationaryequipment 3% impact with movingequipment10% Miscellaneous Generally contact withcrush points and sharpedges
Major Cause of Death and SeriouslyDebilitating Injury ENTANGLEMENT of clothing, stringsor ropes (most common cause offatalities)FALLS to hard underlying surfacesHEAD ENTRAPMENT in equipmentopeningsSTRIKE IMPACT by moving swings orby tipped/loose equipmentStrangulation 30 seconds unconscious2 year old dies in 3 minutes with 3pounds of pressure
Not Recommended for PublicPlaygrounds Swinging GatesTrapeze BarSwinging Exercise RingsAnimal Swings (OrderedRemoved from PublicPlaygrounds by 1995)TrampolinesGiant Stride
Age Designation All playground equipment isbroken down into three agecategoriesToddler 6 Months - 23Months OldPre-School Age Children 25 Year OldsSchool Age Children5-12 Year Olds
Tot Lots – Following are not recommended forPreschool-Age Children (2-5 yrs. old) Free-Standing FlexibleClimbers (Cargo NetType)Track ridesVertical sliding polesHorizontal Ladders (4yrs and older)
Tot Lots – Following are not recommended forPreschool-Age Children (2-5 yrs. Old) Free standing archclimbersChain/cable walksFulcrum seesawsLog rolls
Other Hazards Crush/Shearing Points (seesaw) Tripping Hazards (anchoringdevices and containment walls) Strangulation hazard withPlayground Cargo Nets ((whenPerimeter of the net openings arebetween 17-28 inches (sum of thelength of the four sides)) CPSC #5065 Burns on hot metal playgroundequipment (slides) 2nd -3rd degreeburns CPSC #5036
Other Hazards Wear bike helmets on bicycles - Not on playgrounds (strangulation hazard) CPSC#5121Drawstrings on jackets/sweatshirts - Nodrawstrings on hoods or around the neckCPSC #5094 (scarves/mittens too)Waist/ bottom no more than 3 inches(remember: car and bus doors)Lead Paint (prior to 1978) CPSCRecommendations October 1996Ropes not secured on both endsInsects
Space Net
Soccer Goals Anchored
Use ZonesAn area under and around the equipmentwhere protective surfacing is required. Stationary equipment: a minimum of 6 feetin all directions Swings – End of swing structure – 72”;Front-to-rear use zone where swing motionoccurs is 2X from the beam, front and rear) Bucket Seats –W vertical distance fromtop of sitting surface to the pivot point.2W from the beam, front and rear
Use Zones
Use Zones Free Standing or AttachedSlidesX highest point of thesliding surface72” is the minimum depthof this zone96” is the maximum depthof this zone
Various Surfacing Materials-ASTM F1292Loose Fill Wood Mulch (not CCAtreated - weekly rake)Wood ChipsEngineered Wood FibersSand (weekly rake so soft)Pea GravelShredded TiresUnitary Materials Rubber Mats, rubber tiles andpoured rubberSee CPSC Table
Fall Height This height can be considered as anapproximation of the fall height below which alife-threatening head injury would not beexpected to occur. Manufacturers and installersof playground protective surfacing should providethe critical height rating of their materials.This rating should be greater than or equal to thefall height of the highest piece of equipment onthe playground. The fall height of a piece ofequipment is the distance between the highestdesignated play surface on a piece of equipmentand the protective surface beneath it.
Table 2 – Minimum Compressed Loosefill surfacing depthsInches ofProtects to FallHeight (Feet)109Loose-FillMaterialShredded/recycled rubberSand9Pea Gravel59Wood Mulch(non-CCA)Wood Chips769410
Installation Layers Layer 1: Hard surfaceLayer 2: 3-6 inches ofloose fill (gravel fordrainage)Layer 3: Geotextile ClothLayer 4: Loose-fillsurfacing materialLayer 5: Impact matsunder swingsSnow & Ice?See Figure 1 (CPSC)Page 11
Tripping Hazard
Wood Structures Smooth & free from splinters anddecayCorners, metal and wood, shouldbe rounded.Creosote, pentachlorophenol &tributyl tin oxide are too toxic orirritating and should not be used.Metal equipment should not berustedRusted metal has a reduced tensilestrength. The structural integrity ofthose parts will be compromised ifrust is allowed to take over.
Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Wood may be CCA pressure treated wood.Protects against rotting due to insects andother microbial agents.CPSC & EPA phasing out CCA treatedwood. CPSC Status Report (Dec 2003)enclosed.Disposal of CCA addressed via theConsumer Awareness Program (CAP).Never burn CCA wood in open fires, stoves,fireplaces or residential boilers. le.htmChemical used until December 2003
Head Entrapments – CompletelyBounded Openings A child’s head may become entrapped if the child entersan opening either feet first orhead first.Test completely boundedopenings between 3.5” & 9”Except where the groundserves as the opening’s lowerboundaryEspecially equipmentinstalled before 1991
Head Entrapment Testing Users at risk: Pre-school AgeIf the Torso Probe can be insertedin the opening, then use the HeadProbe. Head probe dimension isbased on the 95th percentile fiveyear old (chin to the back of thehead)When the head probe cannot beinserted through the opening – theopening is considered a headentrapmentHead & Torso Probes must beinserted at least 4”
Head Entrapment - Slide
Head Entrapment
Completely Bounded NonrigidOpenings Flexible openings ofbucket seats should betested with the torsoprobe using 50 lbs.force.50 lbs. force is neededto test non-rigidcompletely boundedopenings.
Head/Neck Entrapments – PartiallyBounded Openings Use the Fish Probe TemplateDimensions are based on theanthropometrics of 2 and 5 year oldchildren.The opening is NOT a neckentrapment if the “A” portion of thewedge or fish probe does not touchthe sides before hitting the bottom.If the “A” portion touches bothsides than enter the “B” portion. If“B” portion of the wedge (or“fish”) probe can be fully inserted itis a potential neck entrapment.Angles should not be greater than55 degrees unless one side ishorizontal or below horizontal.
Protrusions & Projections Protrusions/Projection 1/4 inch laceration 3/4 inch – eye socket 1.5 inch – impaling hazard Projection 1/8 inch – swings/slides No more than 2 bolt threadsexposed beyond the nut.
Pinch, Crush & Shear 3/16 “ dowel- rollerslides 5/16” dowel - merrygo-round 5/8 inch – Pinch, crush& shear of movingequipment
Entanglement Hazard Protrusion Top part of the compoundprojection has a verticalprojection that is greaterthan 1/8” high.Entanglements twogreatest hazards: top railof swing beams and gapsat top of slide bed.
Entanglement
Loose Ropes
Swings Animal Swings RemovedTwo swings per bayTot swings separate baySwings 30” from structureSwing chains of adjacent swing is 24 inchesSwings hangers at least 20” apartSwing seats not metal or woodSwing frame designed to discourage climbingand has no designated play surfaces (2”x2”)Fully enclosed swing seat (bucket seat) tosurfacing 24”Pivot Points of bucket seats should be more than47 inches but no more than 95 inches above theprotective surfacing
Swings “S” & “C” hook properlyclosed .04”No greater than the thicknessof a dime or credit card“S” hooks lower loop shouldnot extend beyond boundaryof upper loop.“S” hook upper loop or lowerloop should not overlap body
Tire Swings or Rotating Swings Location away from otherplay structuresCannot be attached tocomposite structureSwing frame designed todiscourage climbingSwing frame to have no designatedplay surfaceNo more than one swing per baySwing seats to not weigh morethan 35 lbs.
Swing Set
Slides Height/length ratio must not exceed 30degrees.Straight slides have a minimum of 4”sides.Guardrail and protective barriers mustsurround a slide appropriately for theplatform height.Slide exit height for all slides less than 48in. tall is 0-11 inchesSlide exit height for all slides more than48 in. tall is 7-15 in.Transition area on slides must no 14”No spaces of gaps between the platformand start of chute.Tube Slide – min. 23” diameterSlides must have means to channel userinto a seated position (hood, bar, chute)
Playground Supervision Guidelines Same ratio of adults on theplayground as there are in theclassroom.ZoningChildren should be visible tosupervisors.Supervisors should be trained.Emergency plan (notice of insectsting allergies, etc.)Emergency items: radio, phone,gloves, whistle, etc.
Playground Safety Management PlaygroundSafetyCoordination Audits (top tobottom) Inspections Maintenance Recordkeeping
Inspections Manufacturer’s maintenance instructions andrecommended inspection schedules followed.If not available, a maintenance schedule should bedeveloped based on actual or anticipatedplayground use.Routine maintenance does not replace regularinspections.All areas should be inspected for excessive wear,deterioration and potential hazards.Check moving parts.Must be carried out in a systematic manner bypersonnel familiar with the playground, such asmaintenance or playground supervisors.CPSC Publication 325, Appendix A and Table 3
Repairs Problems found during the inspection shouldbe noted and fixed as soon as possibleFollow manufacturer’s instructions for repairsand obtain manufacturer’s partsRemove loose-ended ropes tied to elevatedparts removed immediately (tether ballwithout the ball)Frequency of inspections depends on thetype and age of equipment, the amount ofuse, and the local climate.
Loose Ropes
Loose-Fill Surfacing High use public playgrounds should be checkedfrequently to ensure surfacing has not displacedsignificantly, particularly in areas of the playgroundmost subject to displacement (under swings andslide exits).Impact attenuating mats placed in high traffic areascan significantly reduce displacement. Should beinstalled below or level with surfacing so as not to bea tripping hazard.Pooling water on mulch surfacing. If puddlesregularly consider addressing larger drainageissues.
Recordkeeping Records of ALL maintenance inspections andrepairs should be retained, including themanufacturer’s maintenance instructions and anychecklists used. When any inspection is performed,the person performing it should sign and date theform used. A record of any accident and injuryreported to have occurred on the playground shouldalso be retained. This will help identify potentialhazards or dangerous design features that shouldbe corrected.Review injuries at each school and during the districtsafety committee meeting.
Example Hazard Priority Rating 1. Permanent Disability, loss of life or body part –Condition should be corrected immediately2. Serious Injury resulting in temporary disability –Condition should be corrected ASAP3. Minor (Non-Disabling Injury) –Condition should becorrected very soon4. Potential for Injury Very Minimal – Condition shouldbe corrected if it worsens5. Existing condition does not present a hazard at thistime.
Priority 1 Hazard DeathBrain DamagePermanent ParalysisLoss of VisionLoss of SpeechLoss of LimbOrgan Destruction
Priority 1 Hazard’s 3 Factors 1. Exposure (easy access by users, heavy usearea and condition can become worse)2. Odds (the probability that users could have anaccident as a result of the exposure3. Severity (will the accident caused by thehazard typically result in minor or major injuries?
Inspections/Repairs & Recordkeeping Performed by trained staffDocumented with easy-to-use checklists/formsShould be based upon Manufacturer’s recommendations andentities policies and proceduresTailored to equipment and conditions identified in auditBased on frequency of use, type and age of equipment andlocal climate.Low Frequency (seasonally, in-depth inspection with focus onpreventative maintenance) Document work orders.High Frequency (usually done frequently, identifies changewith focus on routine and remedial maintenance) Includessurfacing materials.
Factors that Affect Inspection Frequency Use Factors Extent of playground use Ages of children using playground Vandalism patterns Developmental Factors Types of surfacing materials Materials used to manufacture equipment Age and type of playground equipment Environmental Factors Soil/drainage conditions Freezing/thawing Climatic/Atmospheric conditions
Track Rides/Log RollsNo obstacles along the path of the ride No obstacles that would interfere in the take-off or landingareas Two track rides next to each other should be at least 4 feetapart Handle between 64-78 inches from surfacing Rolling parts should be enclosed to prevent crush hazardsLog Rolls Should have handholds to assist with balance Highest point of rolling log should be a maximum of 18inches above surface
Merry-Go-Round (at least 20 inchdiameter) Supervision required forpre-school age childrenThe underside of theperimeter of the platformshould be between 9”-14”above the level of theprotective surfacingNo oscillatory motion (upand down)Handgrips diameter rangebetween .95”-1.55”
Seesaws (Teeter Totter) Partial car tires or othershock absorbing materialshould be embedded in theground underneath the seatof a fulcrum seesaw.Handholds should allow twohands.Maximum height is 60” onhigh end.
Balance Beams Height2-5 12”5-12 16”No Trip Hazards
Guardrails -2-5 yr. old GuardrailsGreater than 20”Min. height 29”Max. opening at lowerboundary 23”5-12 yr. Old guardrailsGreater than 30”Min. height 38”Max. opening at lowerboundary 28”
Protective Barriers -2-5 yr. Old BarriersIf Platform HeightGreater than 30”Min. height 29”No opening allowspassage of torso probe5-12 yr. Old BarriersGreater than 48”Min. height 38”No opening allowspassage of torso probe
A public entity cannot prevent all falls andinjuries on playgrounds. It must, however,put controls in place, maintain equipmentand document regular inspections in orderto reduce the frequency and severity of fallsand injuries on public playgrounds.
Kids Will Be Kids
U.S. Organizations Concerned with Playground Safety CPSC – US Consumer Products Safety commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety, Pub. No. 325 (2008) Handbook for Home Playground Safety, Pub. No 324 (2005) Only Federal Agency that has authority to have equipment removed www.cpsc.go
December 29, 2015 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (“CPSC” or “Commission”) Public Playground Safety Handbook was first published in 1981 under the name A Handbook for Public Playground Safety. The recommendations in the Handbook are focused on playground-related injuries and mechanical mechanisms of injury; falls from playground equipment have remained the largest .
ries associated with public playground equip ment were treated in hospital emergency rooms. The Commission first became involved with playground safety in 1974. when a consumer petitioned CPSC to develop mandatory safety standards for public playground
NRPA’s The Daily Dozen A 12-Point Playground Safety Checklist 1. PROPER SURFACING The surface under and around playground equipment should be soft enough to cushion a fall. Maintaining proper surfacing is one of the most important factors in reducing the likelihood of playground injuries. Surfacing should be checked
This playground handbook establishes nationally recognized safety standards for public playground equipment to address injuries identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC estimates close to one million injuries occurred each year related to public playground equipment.
The main strategies for familiesto keep children safe at the playground are: Actively supervise young children. Select the right equipment for your child's age and size. Check for soft surfacing. Teach your children playground rules. Report safety concerns. Consider natural playground alternatives.
playground, which features an inclusive PlayBooster Vibe playstructure in vibrant colors, many multisensory playground components and PebbleFlex playground safety surfacing. Especially unique to the complex is a concrete statue of The Miracle League's mascot, Homer. BRAHAN SPRING PARK—HUNTSVILLE, ALA. Installed August 2012
You will want to review Adafruit tutorials on how to use Circuit Playground and program in the Arduino integrated development environment. If you are new to using your computer to program Arduino style projects, please review the tutorial Circuit Playground Lesson #0 (https://adafru.it/pFM). That will familiarize you with the Circuit Playground
FINAL YEAR MEng PROJECT Reprap Colour Mixing Project James Corbett 1st May 2012 . make the technology widely available for home users and projects such as RepRap have become much more widespread. RepRap is an open source project started by Adrian Bowyer of Bath University in 2005 which was designed around the ideal of creating a low cost home printer that could self replicate a larger .
