SAFETY CHECKLIST - PLAYGROUND

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• Document No.

• Playground at:

• Name of School or ELC:

• Conducted on

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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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Slides - Slides have no cracks or sharp edges and have adequate run off.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Pole Protection - There is adequate padded protection for poles and the pads are at their designed height.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Playground Surfacing - certified surfacing must be provided across the falling space/impact area where play equipment provisions are more than 600mm above ground level.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Finger Entrapment – no gaps or openings with dimensions of 8-25mm at 1000mm or more above playing surface level.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Climbing walls do not have any missing or loose footholds and all assistance ropes are secure.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All climbing nets and or ropes are in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Softfall is in good condition with no major tears, cracks or holes.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Bolts - All bolts are tight and in good condition with no rust

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Universal Access – The playground allows for full use by children with mobility limitations.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

SAND PIT

• Sand Pit - Sand, mulch or bark are at a consistent depth of at least 300 mm?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The Sand Pit is covered when not in use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The Sand Pit is regularly raked

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The Sand Pit is free of any hazards such as rocks, litter etc and all toys removed when not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

FIRE

• Suitable fire-fighting equipment is available within 100 m

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Emergency alarms and instructions can be heard from the playground area

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are clear evacuation route signs to a designated Assembly Area.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All paths to the designated Assembly Area are accessible with no obstructions

  Yes

  No

  N/A

FIRST AID

• First Aid facilities are available nearby during normal hours of operation

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The playground area is easily accessible to an Ambulance and/or Paramedics with a stretcher

  Yes

  No

  N/A

OTHER

• All perimeter fences are greater than 900 mm in height and unable to be scaled by children

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• 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).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• No storage boxes/containers are in the playground area that could allow a child to be trapped inside or suffer a pinch/crush injury.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are no water hazards

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There are no hazards from tree branches and or plants.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All areas of the playground are visible to supervising adults.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The playground area is clean, tidy and free from any litter or foreign objects

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The playground is non-accessible to the public after hours or at weekends

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is sufficient signage warning signs advising users that they use the playground at their own risk.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

ANY OTHER ISSUES

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