Playground Checklist

What to check on your playground

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TRK Playground Safety LLC is committed to making sure that playgrounds are as safe as possible. Below is a checklist covering many of the safety issues that we look for during our inspections. Using this information allows us to make safety recommendations to our clients, and help them achieve their goal of a first-class playground safety program.

• Lack of Maintenance

In order for playgrounds to remain in “safe” condition, a systematic maintenance program must be present.

• Improper Protective Surfacing

70% of all accidents on playgrounds are due to unacceptable surfacing. Hard surfaces such as concrete, blacktop, packed earth, or grass are not acceptable under play equipment. Acceptable protective surfacing are hardwood fiber, mulch, sand, and pea gravel.

• Inadequate Fall Zone

A fall zone or use zone is that area under or around the playground equipment where a child may fall.

• Protrusions and Entanglement Hazards

A protrusion hazard is a piece of hardware that is capable of cutting a child if a child were to fall against the hazard.

• Entrapment in Openings

Areas where children enter feet first and attempt to slide through but the head will not fit through the opening.

• Insufficient Equipment Spacings

Due to overcrowding may cause many hazards which could lead to injuries. Areas should have enough space to circulate safely and not have the possibility of one child falling off of one piece of equipment onto another piece of equipment.

• Trip Hazards

Exposed concrete footings, abrupt change in elevations, tree roots, and rocks are all common trip hazards.

• Lack of Supervision

A play area should be designed so that it is easy for parents or caregivers to observe the children at play.

• Age Inappropriate Activities

Play equipment areas for preschool-age children should be separate from areas intended for school-age children.

• Pinch, Crush, Shearing, and Sharp Edge Hazards

There should be no sharp edges or points that could cut skin or moving components that can pinch, crush, or shear a child's finger.

• Platforms with No Guardrails

Elevated platforms, ramps and bridge ways should have guardrails to prevent falls.

• Equipment Not Recommended for Public Playgrounds

Heavy swings such as animal figure swings, multiple occupancy/glider type swings, free swinging rope or chain, exercise rings and trapeze bars are not recommended.