Outdoor playgrounds offer children the chance to encounter acceptable risks as part of a stimulating, challenging and controlled learning environment. In fact they are a great source of learning risk-based behavioural skills. BUT, it is essential to balance these benefits with the need to keep children safe from serious harm.
How do you do this?
Purchase your outdoor playground equipment from a reputable supplier with a proven safety track record.
Beware of playground equipment not built to the relevant South African National Standards. Not only is it important to use materials that are certified fit for the purpose but also the design needs to have structural integrity and meet safety standards.
Questions to consider when assessing a design include:
What is the maximum distance a child can free fall
Can you get access to children wherever they are on the equipment to help if necessary?
Are handrails at the correct height and angle?
Are barriers erected to prevent long distance free falling?
Can children climb on these barriers to increase their potential falling distance?
Are the rails and bars for grabbing, a suitable diameter?
Are there bolts which protrude which could pose a safety hazard?
Are the gaps between railings, and the planks in platforms, at the correct distance to prevent the trapping of clothes, heads, hands and feet?
Are the ends of all pipes and tubes closed off to prevent fingers getting trapped?
Is there enough free space around the equipment to ensure safe use?
These are just a few of the questions that need to considered when assessing the design of your outdoor play equipment - you can purchase the full specification SANS 51176-1:2010 at the SABS website for your own information or you can ensure that you purchase equipment from a supplier who specifies that their equipment meets this standard.
If you are unsure, contact us - we can help you.
Pick one of our SANS approved existing designs or work with us to design your own!