Playground Equipment and Structures Inspection Checklist



Playground Equipment and Structures Inspection Checklist

Complete this safety inspection checklist every term. Photos may be taken to document and monitor hazards.

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Conducted by(Required)
Assisted by(Required)

Section 1

1. Preventing slips, trips, and falls

1.1 Are pathways around the playground clear of hazards? (Check for cracks, loose sand, subsidence, jagged edges, and signs of poor drainage such as puddles).(Required)
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Max. file size: 256 MB.
    1.2 Are all access and entrance points to the playground and equipment free of exposed protrusions and sharp edges?(Required)
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    Max. file size: 256 MB.
      1.3 Is the playground set out to allow for unobstructed supervision?(Required)
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      Max. file size: 256 MB.
        1.4 Is the playground environment in good condition and free of rubbish? (Check playing fields and concrete areas)(Required)
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        Max. file size: 256 MB.

          2. Platforms, structures and frames

          2.1 Are all structural foundations free of movement, checked for wear and below ground level?(Required)
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          Max. file size: 256 MB.
            2.2 Are all structures free of rot or corrosion and have no missing parts, panels or fitting? (Check that plastic equipment is sound and free of cracks and deterioration from the sun).(Required)
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            Max. file size: 256 MB.
              2.3 Are all components designed to prevent water entering enclosed areas and free of deterioration? (Check cap ends, grommets, on bolts or screws).(Required)
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              Max. file size: 256 MB.
                2.4 Area all components free of corrosion and bulging, and all nails and fixings flush with the surface or countersunk?(Required)
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                Max. file size: 256 MB.
                  2.5 Are all bolts and fasteners secure?(Required)
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                  Max. file size: 256 MB.
                    2.6 Are all exposed protrusions and sharp edges removed? (Check for protruding nails, rivets and bolts which may need to be covered or sawn off)(Required)
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                    Max. file size: 256 MB.
                      2.7 Are all guardrails/handrails and barriers around decks and platforms secure, free of sharp edges and small enough for a child's grip?(Required)
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                      Max. file size: 256 MB.
                        2.8 Are all equipment surfaces and parts in good order? (Check for splits, splinters, peeling paint, cracks, cuts and open joints. Look at specific pieces of equipment such as swings and slides. Swing seats should be made of a soft material rather than wood. Slides should have a smooth surface and gradual surface at the bottom.(Required)
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                        Max. file size: 256 MB.
                          2.9 Treated pine structures are painted to protect against exposure to copper chrome arsenate (CCA).(Required)
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                          Max. file size: 256 MB.
                            2.10 Ramps are in good condition, with non-slip surface, no loose parts, and smooth transitions at both the top and bottom.(Required)
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                            Max. file size: 256 MB.

                              3. Moving Parts

                              3.1 Are the covers or guards which conceal pinch, crush or entrpment points well maintained?(Required)
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                              Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                3.2 Are all parts of each piece of equipment such as links, chains and fasteners secure and not excessively worn? Check for empty bolt holes, loosed pieces of chain and S hooks not tightly closed. Replace pieces if wear is noticeable. Look at specific pieces of equipment such as swings and swinging bridges.(Required)
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                                Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                  3.3 Has the equipment been lubricated where necessary?(Required)
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                                  Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                    3.4 Are ropes and chains securely fastened and all frayed rope ends trimmed and repaired? Check that ropes have not been added to the original design.(Required)
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                                    Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                      3.5 Are rope, chain, or tyre nets in good repair and to the original design? Check that rope and chain nets are secure top and bottom.(Required)
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                                      Max. file size: 256 MB.

                                        4. Fall Zone

                                        4.1 The distance from any part of the equipment to any hard surface (e.g pathways, tree trunks or adjacent equipment) is a minimum of 2.5 metres?(Required)
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                                        Max. file size: 256 MB.

                                          5. Surfacing

                                          5.1 Hard surfacing: Is there concrete, asphalt or other non-impact absorbing material under play equipment?(Required)
                                          Any hard surface should be removed and replaced with an impact-absorbing surface when equipment fall height is greater than 600mm and/or the equipment causes a forced movement - e.g swings, slides, rocking equipment, cableways or carousels.
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                                          Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                            5.2 Impact absorbing material (synthetic or loose fill): does it extend at least 1.5m from all equipment that is less than 1.5m in height, or 2.5m from equipment that is up to 3m in height?(Required)
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                                            Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                              5.3 Loose-fill surfacing is equally distributed underneath equipment and is at a minimum depth of 30cm.(Required)
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                                              Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                5.4 Loose-fill surfacing: (e.g bark or woodchip) is free from sharp edges?(Required)
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                                                Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                  5.5 Loose fill surfacing: is there adequate drainage to prevent rotting? Is the surface free from poolig water, water seepage and subsidence?(Required)
                                                  Subsidence - sinking of the ground because of underground material movement
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                                                  Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                    5.6 Loose fill surfacing: are the borders enclosing the loose-fill surfacing secure?(Required)
                                                    Subsidence - sinking of the ground because of underground material movement
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                                                    Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                      5.7 Synthetic surfacing: Is the surface material in good condition and securely in place to provide impact absorption?(Required)
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                                                      Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                        5.8 Borders around the impact absorbing surfaces are in good condition. Borders are painted with yellow paint to highlight any sudden changes in surface levels or where there is an increased risk of a slip, trip or fall.(Required)
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                                                        Max. file size: 256 MB.

                                                          6. Sandpits

                                                          6.1 Sandpit(s) are clean and free from foreign objects and animal waste.(Required)
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                                                          Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                            6.2 Sandpit borders are in good condition, free from splinters, exposed nails and pins.(Required)
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                                                            Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                              6.3 Is the sandpit(s) drainage adequate? Is the sand pit free from pooling water and excessive moisture?(Required)
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                                                              Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                                6.5 Are the sandpits covered when not in use?(Required)
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                                                                Max. file size: 256 MB.

                                                                  7. Shade Sail

                                                                  7.1 Shade sail is free from rips, holes or tears.(Required)
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                                                                  Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                                    7.2 Structural components are free from rust, damage and corrosion.(Required)
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                                                                    Max. file size: 256 MB.

                                                                      8. Basketball/netball ring and backboards

                                                                      8.1 The basketball/netball pole is in good condition and free from damage, rust and corrosion(Required)
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                                                                      Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                                        8.2 The safety marking signage "WARNING: SWINGING ON THE BACKBOARD MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INURY OR DEATH" is in place, legible and in good condition.(Required)
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                                                                        Max. file size: 256 MB.
                                                                          Please use the box below to provide information about non-hazardous items that have the potential to become hazards if not addressed.
                                                                          Is a report on eduSafe Plus required?
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