Playground services
Playground Safety Inspection Services
What is a Playground Safety Inspection?
A playground inspection service is a thorough assessment of play areas carried out by a certified playground inspector. A comprehensive playground safety inspection is divided into three components: visual checks, operational checks, and annual safety checks. These inspections ensure the safety of children and compliance with industry standards (BS EN1176).
For parents and caregivers, playground inspections provide peace of mind, knowing that the play areas their children frequently play on are regularly and comprehensively inspected and maintained to the highest playground standards of safety and quality.
Playground inspections are essential preventative measures that help maintain the overall integrity of play environments. Through thorough evaluations conducted by certified playground safety inspectors, each piece of equipment is checked against stringent safety standards, effectively reducing the risk of accidents. These systematic assessments act as a proactive defense, safeguarding against potential hazards and ensuring a safe play area for every child.
Why We Need Playground Safety Inspections
Regular inspections are crucial to ensure playground equipment is in top condition and compliant with industry standards (BS EN1176). This proactive approach helps maintain the highest safety levels and prevents potential hazards.
According to the royal society for the prevention of accidents (ROSPA), consistent outdoor play area safety inspections are essential, as playground-related accidents are significantly on the rise, with 40,000 injuries to children on playground visits annually in the United Kingdom, resulting in hospital visits.
Through a comprehensive inspection of equipment condition and compliance with safety regulations (BS EN1176), inspectors can effectively identify and address risks, improving the safety and overall experience for children. This benefits local communities by providing reassurance and peace of mind, ensuring safety for all children enjoying the playground facilities.
Playground Incidents by Type of Hazard
Consistent safety audits and corrective actions underpin a commitment to excellence, ensuring safe playgrounds that enrich communities and safeguard the essence of childhood.
Not all incidents are related to playground equipment; out of the 40,000 injuries, a staggering 40% are related to the equipment. Could you guess which play equipment is the main cause of most injuries to children?
Swings are the main cause, with 40% of accidents resulting from them. See below for the other types of play equipment that cause injuries due to unsafe conditions:
Swings: 40%
Climbers: 23%
Slides: 21%
Roundabouts: 5%
See-Saws: 4%
Fireman's Poles: 1%
Others: 6%
Source: ROSPA
Compliance with Safety Standards
Review of Equipment: Have a certified safety inspector systematically examine all playground components against current safety regulations.
Maintenance and Repair: Identifying and scheduling necessary maintenance or repair to uphold safety integrity.
Accessibility Standards: Confirm the playground is accessible for children of all abilities. Learn more about inclusive playground design here.
Record Keeping: Maintain detailed inspection records to trace compliance and facilitate future audits.
Follow local Safety Standards: Assure adherence to local safety standards like ASTM standards or the European standard EN1176. It is advised that all UK playgrounds comply with the BS EN1176 regulations. Regular inspection cycles safeguard against potential hazards. Adherence to guidelines is not fixed; it evolves with updates in safety protocols and standards.
Inspection Types and Frequency
Playground safety inspections consist of a variety of analyses, ranging from daily visual appraisals to detailed annual evaluations. Routine checks, operational inspections, and annual comprehensive assessments are methodically scheduled to mitigate risks and ensure sustained playground safety. Each tier plays a crucial role: daily inspections address immediate concerns, while in-depth annual reviews delve into structural integrity and long-term durability.
Thorough operational inspections should occur at least quarterly, focusing on wear and tear that affects the playground's reliability. More extensive annual inspections are conducted by certified specialists who scrutinise every aspect of the playground's condition, guided by the stringent precision of industry safety standards.
For an in-depth breakdown of how Kompan operates, click here to view our recent "Playground Inspection" brochure. This will give you an insight into our customer care and the services you can expect from us, as well as some case studies on previous playground inspections and refurbishments, highlighting the costs and savings associated with regular inspections.
Routine Playground Safety Checklist
Routine safety checks are essential for identifying immediate hazards that could compromise child safety. These inspections should be conducted frequently to address emerging risks within play areas. We've compiled the following seven main routine safety checks, approved by leading playground inspectors. Please see below
Conduct a Visual Survey
Scan the playground for safety hazards like broken glass or toxic substances.
Perform a Surface Inspection
Ensure safety surfaces are well-maintained and adequately cushioned to prevent injuries.
Examine Playground Equipment
Inspect all playground equipment for signs of wear, vandalism, or damage.
Inspect All Hardware
Check all bolts, screws, and connectors for tightness and absence of corrosion.
Test Equipment Stability
Apply gentle force to swings, slides, and other structures to test their stability.
Look for any gaps or protrusions that could catch children's clothing or limbs.
Verify that there are no gaps or protrusions where children's clothing or limbs could be caught.
Review Supervision Lines
Ensure caregivers or parents have a clear line of sight to effectively watch children in playOperational Playground Inspections
More detailed and hands-on than a routine visual inspection, these checks ensure the steadiness and safety of play items, gates, fencing, furniture, and safety surfacing. They include ensuring all fixings are tight and secure, equipment is free from damage, and checking for wear, corrosion, rust, and rot. These inspections should be undertaken regularly (every 1 to 3 months), as recommended in the manufacturer's equipment instructions, by a registered and certificated RPII Inspector. A report detailing all findings and recommendations will be provided for each play area inspected. (Carried out by KOMPAN's in-house play inspection team). The report will contain: Site Details, date and time of inspection, equipment information, asset photos, Information on any defects, photos of defects, detail of any remedial work to rectify any defects, risk rating and closed/completed defects.
Comprehensive Annual Playground Audits
Ensuring playground safety is paramount; comprehensive annual audits serve as critical checkpoints. You can reach out to your certified local playground specialist if you need help conducting an annual inspection.
Review Documentation
Examine past inspection reports and maintenance records for any outstanding issues.Analyse Equipment Thoroughly
Perform a detailed check of all playground equipment for structural soundness and compliance with industry safety standards.Assess Surfacing
Inspect the condition and safety compliance of impact-absorbing surfaces based on industry guidelines.Audit Accessibility
Verify that the playground adheres to all necessary inclusivity and accessibility standards.Identify Risks
Actively search for and document potential safety hazards.Develop an Action Plan
Formulate a comprehensive strategy to address identified safety concerns and improve overall equipment safety.Benefits of Hiring Certified Playground Inspectors
Playground safety is essential, and a key part of this is spotting common hazards. These hazards can be obvious to the eye or less obvious, where only a specialist would be able to identify them. They include anything from protruding bolts and unstable bases to worn-out equipment and poor surfacing. Such issues can lead to entrapment, falls, or other serious injuries.
Hiring professional playground inspection services can massively improve both the safety and longevity of playgrounds. These experts use their specialised knowledge to meet current safety standards and spot potential risks early. Their insights also help guide ongoing maintenance efforts, which can extend the life of playground equipment and keep safety measures up-to-date with new play practices and equipment innovations.
Should you seek further insights into playground safety and prefer an instructional approach via video content, we've got you covered. Click here to gain access to Kompan's comprehensive guide on playground safety management, produced by Kompan playground specialists with years of industry knowledge.
Equipment Wear and Tear
Over time, parts of playground equipment deteriorate due to exposure to outdoor elements and constant use. This inevitable exposure compromises the equipment's structural integrity and safety.
Structural materials, coatings, and fasteners encounter fatigue, eroding beneath the surface, hidden from the eye. Regularly scheduled maintenance derived from routine inspections can identify areas of concern. Prioritising these areas for repair or replacement minimises risks and extends the usable lifespan of the playground equipment.
Surface Safety Concerns
Surface integrity is a crucial aspect of playground safety, directly impacting fall protection performance. Deterioration resulting from weathering and physical wear and tear can diminish the effectiveness of the surface's safety features, necessitating diligent oversight.
Surfaces surrounding playground equipment must adhere to strict UK safety standards, such as those outlined in the ASTM F1292 Standard for Impact Attenuation or the BS EN1177 for safety surfacing. Over time, even the highest quality surfaces can degrade, increasing the risk of physical injury to children. Comprehensive inspections assess the current condition of the playground surfacing, comparing it to these benchmarks to ensure ongoing compliance.
Expert Recommendations
It is essential to schedule frequent inspections to preempt unforeseen risks in play areas. This proactive approach to playground safety ensures a tenacious pursuit of playground integrity, yielding an impeccable level of playground safety and user confidence.
Stringent adherence to British safety standards is a necessity for playground safety.
Selecting accredited professionals, who are adept in revealing both visible and invisible play area hazards (unrecognised by the untrained eye), is vital.
Effective risk management extends to comprehensive documentation of inspection findings, necessary to validate compliance and report ongoing maintenance efforts, thereby consolidating a playground’s operational tenure.
Regular Service and Modernisation
Frequent maintenance is vital in ensuring the prolonged lifetime of playground features.
Over time, wear and tear on equipment is unavoidable, resulting in the need for interval checks, refurbishment, and potential retrofitting to uphold safety standards and the aesthetic appeal of the play space. Read more about playground spare parts here.
Moreover, upgrades and modernisation are essential to align with evolving safety guidelines. This may include the integration of advanced materials that offer increased durability and improved compliance with current safety parameters.
Therefore, regularly scheduled inspections are indispensable. They ensure that equipment remains in prime condition and that our commitment to child safety is uncompromised.
How do I make sure my playground is safe?
Ensuring the safety of your playground is important. By following a few key guidelines, you can create a safe and secure environment for children to play, learn, and socialise.
Firstly, it is essential to choose playground equipment that meets BS safety standards and guidelines. Look for equipment certified by accredited organisations, such as the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), ensuring it has been tested for safety and durability.
Regular maintenance and inspection are required to keep your playground safe. It is vital to conduct a safety audit at least once per year, as a minimum requirement. It is advised to have it done more frequently to stay on top of any signs of wear and tear, such as loose bolts, cracked surfaces, and structural issues. Any issues should be promptly addressed and repaired to prevent accidents.
Alongside maintenance, it's essential to furnish a soft and impact-absorbing surface beneath the playground equipment. Materials like rubber mulch, engineered wood fibers, or synthetic turf can effectively cushion falls and mitigate the likelihood of severe injuries.
Furthermore, installing sufficient safety components, such as guardrails, handrails, and barriers, can help eradicate the risk of falls and ensure the safety of the playground as a whole.
It is also crucial to establish clear rules and guidelines for playground usage, done through signage placed around the play area to educate children and caregivers about how to play safely, including concepts like sharing equipment, being aware of others taking turns, and being mindful of other children's emotions.
Finally, keep in mind that ensuring the safety of your playground is a collective effort. By implementing these steps, you can establish a fun and safe environment for children to explore numerous adventures, all while reducing the chances of accidents.
Looking for a Playground Inspection Specialist?
At KOMPAN, we offer to handle all playground maintenance and inspection services. Our team of specialists is happy to discuss our different service options. Fill in your details, and we will get back to you soon.