Playground Hazards

• Risk of injury is minimized if fall heights are reduced. The maximum free height of fall should be 2.5m in general purpose settings, 1.5m for supervised early childhood settings and 2.2m for upper body equipment

• Impact absorbing material is required under all play equipment with a free height of fall greater than 500mm
• Loose fill should be at least 250mm deep or what the supplier's test report specifies for the height of the equipment
• A further 20% depth should be installed in heavy traffic areas (eg. swings, slides) to account for displacement
• Loose fill materials need to be raked and aerated regularly to avoid compaction
• Loose fill should be clean, drained, and evenly distributed
• Regular inspection and replenishing is required in order to ensure that the correct material depth is maintained
• Synthetic/rubber surfaces should be level and even, with no deterioration or trip hazards

• A fall zone is the area under and around play equipment. Impact absorbing material is required under all play equipment with a free height of fall greater than 500mm and should extend to the distance specified for the height or type of equipment

• Guardrails and barriers need to be installed at appropriate heights for specific fall heights
• Barriers should have vertical rails or solid panels with no footholds or entrapments

• There should be no gaps in which a child could become trapped, especially by the head, neck or chest
• Eliminate gaps which could trap limbs, hands, fingers, hair, or clothing

• Ensure equipment is appropriate for the age groups and abilities of users
• Separate play areas for the young and the very young and ensure they are actively supervised

• Avoid collisions by providing adequate free space between pieces of equipment and other obstacles (trees, shade structures, fences)
• Avoid conflict of use with large numbers of children accessing one unit of equipment
• Ensure there are separate areas for quiet creative play, running and ball games
• There are no sharp edges and pinch points 
• Moving parts cannot crush or pinch (bridges, track rides, see saws and swings, and chains)
• Timber equipment is not split or splintered

• No uneven surfaces, tree roots, stumps, rocks or hard objects
• Playground edging does not present a trip hazard
• Concrete footings are below ground level and are covered with a soft fall surface

• There are no bolts, nails, screws or other elements that can cut, pierce or bruise; or act as a hook to entangle children's clothing or hair
• Ropes are secured top and bottom so they cannot form a loop or noose

• There is adequate shade at the times children play on the equipment.

• There is seating in the shade, and a clear view for supervision. Active supervision is essential to support responsible play.

• Regular written inspections are done for broken, worn, loose or missing components and repairs are carried out quickly
• There are no sharp items - splinters, glass, metal shavings, syringes, nails etc.

• Plank swings and boat swings, roundabouts (except those with speed limiting devices) maypoles, climbing rockets and old machinery such as tractors should all be considered for removal.

Note: Monkey bars are popular and frequently used by children. Research has shown monkey bars to be a common factor for fracture injuries. Ensure equipment is an appropriate height for the age groups using it, and that it has appropriate surfacing underneath it. Current surfacing standards are intended to prevent head injury but may not be as effective for long bone fractures.