Playground Hazards

Most playground injuries can be prevented or their severity reduced by good planning, design and maintenance to avoid playground hazards.

It is important to note that the Australian Standards for playgrounds recognise that children need opportunities to experience risk and challenge in playgrounds and the standards focus on the elimination of hazards likely to cause serious life threatening injuries. The standards do no advocate risk-free playgrounds.

See below for a brief overview of common playground hazards and strategies to overcome or eliminate them or you can contact us on (08) 9340 8509 or email kidsafe@kidsafewa.com.au for more information.

Free Height of Fall
Free height of fall refers to the distance between any platforms or hanging points on a playground item and the ground below. Risk or serious injury is minimised where fall heights are reduced.

The Australian Standards recommend a maximum free height of fall of 1.5m for supervised early childhood settings, 2.2m for upper body equipment and 2.5m in all other public or education settings.

Fall Zone
The fall zone is the area beneath and around playground equipment where a child might land if they fall. The Australian Standards specify the dimensions for fall zones dependent upon the height of the equipment and its use. For example, equipment that involves movement requires more space.

Undersurfacing
For any equipment that has a free height of fall more than 0.5m, Australian Standards recommend that the fall zone under-surfacing must meet certain minimum impact attenuating requirements. There are two main types of materials that comply:

Loose-fill: suitable sand or mulch, that is well drained, regularly checked, and raked/aerated to avoid compaction and replenished as required to maintain minimum depth. Kidsafe WA recommends a minimum depth of 300mm to allow for displacement during typical use.

Synthetic/rubber: wet pour rubber or synthetic grass can also be used. Surfaces should be free of trip hazards and checked periodically to ensure there is no deterioration (eg. sub surface bumps or dips). You should also ask for a certificate of compliance with Australian Standards.

Guardrails and Barriers
Guardrails with vertical rails or solid barriers must be installed on platforms more than 0.5m above the ground to prevent children from falling.

Entrapment & Pinch Points
There must be no gaps in which a child could become trapped, especially by the head, neck or chest. Gaps that might trap limbs, hands, fingers, hair and clothing should also be avoided.

Ensure there are no moving parts that might create crush or pinch points and that any timber is well maintained to avoid splits and splinters.

Age Appropriate Activities
Children of different ages (or the same age) can have very different physical skills. It is important to ensure your playground includes graduated levels of risk and challenge or that you provide different playground activities for younger and older children.

Space and the Flow of Play
Playgrounds typically involve lots of movement. Allow sufficient space for children to move freely about the playground and use the equipment safely. Another important point to consider is any potential clash between active and passive play pursuits. A good design and layout will ensure the flow of children moving through the space matches the different activities children might be participating in.

Trip Hazards
Keep paths and walkways even and clear of tree roots, stumps or rocks unless these are used to provide a balance activity and embedded within an appropriate space.

Avoid any edging or curbing that might create a trip hazard and ensure all concrete footings are well below the ground and any surfacing material.

Protrusions and Catch Points
Playground equipment should not contain any bolts, nails, screws or other elements that might cut, pierce or bruise; or act as a hook to entangle children's clothing or hair. Similarly, ensure any ropes are secured top and bottom so they cannot form a loop or noose.

Shade
Providing good shade at your playground will ensure that the children and families that visit will be protected from the sun. It will also improve the general amenity and encourage use.

Supervision
We encourage adult supervision that is appropriate for the age of the children and the activity they are participating in. Young children in particular need close supervision and guidance.

A great way to encourage supervision at your playground is by ensuring it is adult friendly. This means providing amenities such as shade, seating, water, toilets, safe access/pathways to or parking at the playground.

Another strategy is to maintain clear lines of sight, so adults can maintain discrete supervision where appropriate. This does not mean a scorched earth approach as plants create fantastic play opportunities and add to the amenity, when used in creative ways.

Maintenance
It is important that a regime of regular maintenance checks and annual comprehensive audit inspections is maintained. Similarity, it is important to keep accurate records of these checks and inspections and any repairs or modifications undertaken.

Equipment Not recommended
Plank swings, boat swings, roundabouts (except those with speed limiting devices) maypoles, climbing rockets and old machinery such as tractors are extremely hazardous because of their design and all have the potential to cause death or serious injury. Kidsafe recommends that if any of these items are present in your playground they should be immediately removed.

Note: Monkey bars are popular and frequently used by children. Injury statistics show that many children's fracture injuries are the result of falls from monkey bars. Ensure monkey bars comply with Australian Standards, are within maximum heights and that appropriate surfacing is provided underneath. Current surfacing standards are intended to prevent head injury but may not be as effective in preventing long bone fractures.