the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that well maintained playgrounds present fewer risks to children.


use, maintenance requirements, and environmental factors. There is no hard and fast rule for how often inspections should be performed, but the more often it is done, the better. Frequent inspections allow for early detection of problems and easy on the spot facility repairs.


With these amazing assets comes risk and maintenance that are often overlooked, leading to injury and fiscal damages for homeowners.


Timely inspections and maintenance will ensure everything is done to keep kids safe. Performing inspections and maintenance will ensure potential hazards, such as tripping dangers, broken equipment, or displaced safety surface material, are caught quickly. Of course some injuries are unavoidable, but having proper documentation of routine inspections and maintenance will help protect owners from costly litigation. Records of inspections and work orders are evidence your community was not negligent.


Low Frequency Safety Inspections


Low frequency safety inspections are done by a playground inspection company or a professional certified safety inspector who goes through a checklist to uncover wear and tear from regular use or mechanical issues. These inspections are usually done monthly, quarterly, or bi- annually, depending on how much the equipment is used, to ensure the playground is safe.


Routine inspections resolve debris issues such as broken glass, sanitation problems, or vandalism.


High Frequency Inspections


A playground is a major investment, so it makes smart financial sense to protect it at all costs.


A playground is a major investment, so it makes smart financial sense to protect it at all costs. Timely, preventive routine maintenance procedures help control expenses by reducing upkeep and replacement costs, as well as enabling more accurate budgeting. As the playground becomes less attractive, fewer people will want to use it, diminishing the playground’s value to the community. Regularly inspecting and performing needed maintenance on playgrounds will extend the life of the equipment and enhance the overall value to the community.


When & How Often To Do A Playground Inspection?


An “inspection” is usually best performed on a periodic basis, depending upon the level of


Routine inspections or high frequency inspections are done more often, possibly weekly, to uncover litter or debris issues, such as broken glass, playground surfacing that needs to be raked or replaced, sanitation problems, vandalism and more. These issues can often be corrected on the spot, or, when necessary, the entity that manages the playground will be contacted to fix the issue. High frequency inspections can be done by community volunteers and should be documented.


Who Should Perform Playground Inspections?


Low frequency playground inspections should be completed by certified playground


safety inspectors (CPSIs). CPSIs are trained to notice and address a wide range of issues that can affect the safety of a playground. Additionally, these inspectors are aware of the various laws and best practices governing playground and play equipment. Even though there are only a handful of states that have enacted regulations for playgrounds, there are other laws that must be followed to ensure safety and compliance. One of these laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides standards that should be followed by all public playgrounds to ensure equal safe access by all community members. Failure to meet these requirements


Continued On Page 20  wscai.org 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32