SAFETY CHECKLIST - EARLY LEARNING OUTDOORS

Title Page

Document No.
Playground at:
Name of School or ELC:
Conducted on
Prepared by

Inspection Report

PREAMBLE

In Australia there are no regulatory requirements to comply with the Australian Standards relating to playgrounds. However, the Australian Standard AS 4685 is regarded as the minimum level of safety required and failure to comply with this standard could lead to prosecution in the event of an incident leading to a serious injury or fatality to a child/student.

COMPLIANCE WITH AUSTRALIAN STANDARD AS 4685:

Does the playground Equipment meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 4685 – Playground Equipment and Surfacing in particular:
Access, Entrance and Surrounds - playgrounds should have clear access for pathways and supervision without trip hazards, sharp protrusions or weeds. Rubbish bins water bubblers and seats are inspected regularly to ensure good working order.
Free Height of Fall - free height of fall must not exceed 1800mm for Supervised Early Childhood Settings and 3000mm for All Age Settings. The free height of fall is the greatest vertical distance measured for the intended body support of the equipment to the impact area below. Upper body equipment that requires hand grip support must not exceed 1800mm for Supervised Early Childhood Settings and 2200mm for All Age Settings.
Protection against falling - guardrails/barriers must be installed for heights of more than 600mm above ground level. Continuous handrails are required on each side of access ways and bridges. All items intended for gripping must have a diameter that measures between 16mm and 45mm.
Impact Area - a minimal falling space/impact area of 1500mm is required around equipment (with fall heights of more than 600mm above ground level) and between individual items of equipment.
Slides - Slides have no cracks or sharp edges and have adequate run off.
Pole Protection - There is adequate padded protection for poles and the pads are at their designed height.
Playground Surfacing - certified surfacing must be provided across the falling space/impact area where play equipment provisions are more than 600mm above ground level.
Equipment Elements - all playground equipment should be structurally stable, in good condition and fit for children’s play. All major frames are anchored to the ground and there is minimal chance of the equipment toppling over.
Head & Neck Entrapment - bound head and neck entrapment (dimensions of 89mm – 230mm), partially bound and V-shaped openings, shearing or moving openings (flexible and rigid parts with openings less than 230mm) must be avoided.
Foot Entrapment – no gaps greater than 30mm present on surfaces inclined up to 45⁰ intended for running/walking, completely bound rigid openings in surfaces for running/climbing.
Finger Entrapment – no gaps or openings with dimensions of 8-25mm at 1000mm or more above playing surface level.
Climbing walls do not have any missing or loose footholds and all assistance ropes are secure.
All climbing nets and or ropes are in good condition
Softfall is in good condition with no major tears, cracks or holes.
Material - equipment must have no protruding nails, bolt threads, projecting wire rope terminations, pointed or sharp ended components. Projecting parts and corners must be less than 8mm (or covered) with a minimum radius of 3mm. Surfaces must be finished smooth with no splintering.
Bolts - All bolts are tight and in good condition with no rust
Means of Access - equipment is designed to provide safe ascent or descent. Means of access include steps, stairs, ladders and ramps. (Note: Adults must be able to gain access to assist children within the equipment.)
Universal Access – The playground allows for full use by children with mobility limitations.

SAND PIT

Sand Pit - Sand, mulch or bark are at a consistent depth of at least 300 mm?
The Sand Pit is covered when not in use
The Sand Pit is regularly raked
The Sand Pit is free of any hazards such as rocks, litter etc and all toys removed when not in use?

FIRE

Suitable fire-fighting equipment is available within 100 m
Emergency alarms and instructions can be heard from the playground area
There are clear evacuation route signs to a designated Assembly Area.
All paths to the designated Assembly Area are accessible with no obstructions

FIRST AID

First Aid facilities are available nearby during normal hours of operation
The playground area is easily accessible to an Ambulance and/or Paramedics with a stretcher

OTHER

All perimeter fences are greater than 900 mm in height and unable to be scaled by children
The playground has good shade between 8 am and 5 pm from surrounding trees and/or erected shade sails. Note: Clearance of 2.5m is required between equipment and shade (trees or sails).
No storage boxes/containers are in the playground area that could allow a child to be trapped inside or suffer a pinch/crush injury.
There are no water hazards
There are no hazards from tree branches and or plants.
All areas of the playground are visible to supervising adults.
The playground area is clean, tidy and free from any litter or foreign objects
The playground is non-accessible to the public after hours or at weekends
There is sufficient signage warning signs advising users that they use the playground at their own risk.