Injury Protection and Prevention

Falls from play equipment onto hard surfaces are one of the leading causes of serious injuries and death of young children. Active play is necessary for optimal physical development but play equipment must be made as safe as possible for children. Surfaces must be soft and forgiving. Asphalt, cement, grass and dirt are unforgiving of a small child’s falling body. Materials such as wood chips, pea gravel, or rubber matting approved for playground fall protection must be under all climbing equipment and swings. This ground cover must be deep enough to absorb and cushion the impact of a falling body.

The National Program for Playground Safety and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend a depth of 6 to 12 inches, depending upon the height of the structure (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1994). The material should extend at least 6 feet around the structure. This area is referred to as the “fall zone.” The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets standards for playground equipment safety.

There also needs to be sufficient space around swings, slides, etc., for children and adults to move around safely on the play area. All climbing, swinging, and sliding equipment should be secured to the ground and stable. Concrete footings and anchors for this equipment must not be visible.

Make sure you are aware of the regulations regarding playground safety in your area.

http://playgroundsafety.org/standards/regulations
http://www.playgroundideas.org/Play-ground-standards
http://www.playgroundregs.com/
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=452

Related Training:
Risk Management (2 hours / .2 CEU)
Outdoor Play Safety
A Simple Approach to Knowing the WAC's: Outdoor Play Area