sensible safe play

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Sensible Safe PlaySensible Safe Play Sensible Safe PlaySensible Safe Play A Practical and Educational Interpretation A Practical and Educational Interpretation

of the North Carolina Child Care Commission’sof the North Carolina Child Care Commission’s

Permanent Playground RulesPermanent Playground Rules

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Training Requirements• For centers serving less than 30 children, one

staff member must complete Playground Safety training within 6 months of hire

• For centers serving 30 or more children, the Center Director and one other staff member must complete Playground Safety training within 6 months of hire

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Setting the SceneSetting the SceneSetting the SceneSetting the Scene

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The Difference Between Risk and Hazard

a RISK contains a decision or judgment

a HAZARD cannot be seen by a child and therefore cannot be judged

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Why All the Fuss?Why All the Fuss?Why All the Fuss?Why All the Fuss?

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Why All the Fuss?

1 - It is morally the right thing to do

2 - It is backed by child care requirements

3 - Negligence could result in liability claims

There are three reasons why a child care provider should provide a safe playground environment:

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Why All the Fuss?

It is your obligation as child care providers to supply a physically and emotionally safe environment for the children in your care

On the playground, a safe environment is one where the hazards are removed or addressed

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National Trends• 1988 CPSC Data

– More than 150,000 playground related injuries per year– A playground related injury = an emergency room visit

• 1994 CPSC Data– More than 200,000 playground related injuries– Estimate of 17 playground related deaths per year

• 1999 CPSC Data– More than 205,000 playground related injuries– Fractures were the most commonly reported injury

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North Carolina Injuries• 2002 Calendar Year

– 1,388 injuries occurred at child care centers that required medical attention

– Of these injuries, 37.5 percent or 521 injuries occurred on the playground

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Number of Injuries by Age Group

020406080

100120140160180

INFANTTODDLER

PRE-SCHOOLSCHOOL-AGEUNKNOWN

2002

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Cause of Injuries

0

50

100

150

200

250

HIT/BUMPED FALL ALL OTHER

2002

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Equipment Associated with Fall From Height Injuries

0 10 20 30 40 50

Climber

Composite Structure

Slide

Swing

Merry-Go-Round

Other

2002

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Playground HazardsPlayground HazardsPlayground HazardsPlayground HazardsProvide “Hazard Free” Environments

Sharp Points, Corners, Edges

Protrusions

Pinch, Crush, Shearing Points

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General• Sharp points

– Play equipment should not be able to puncture a child’s skin

– Open, exposed ends of tubes or pipes should be covered or plugged

– Wooden parts should be sanded smooth and not produce splinters

• Corners– Metal or wood corners should be rounded

• Edges– Metal edges should have rounded capping or be rolled

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General• Paint

– Metal surfaces should be painted or galvanized to prohibit rust

– To prevent lead poisoning, paints or finishes used on playground equipment must meet the Federal Law - Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1303

• No more than 600 parts/million maximum lead by dry weight

– If you are concerned about potential lead-based paint hazard with your play equipment, contact your consultant for guidance on lead hazard assessment and control

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Wooden Playground Equipment

• chromated copper arsenate - CCA

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Consumer Products Safety Commission

• Risk to young children via hand contact

• Put hands in mouth• Touch other objects

that will go into their mouths

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To Minimize Risk

• Care givers should thoroughly wash children’s hands with soap and water after playing

• Children should not eat while on the playground equipment

• Sealants or stains must be applied at least every 2 years

• Soil under CCA wood must be removed, covered or made inaccessible to children

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Alternatives to CCA

Copper Azole

Alkaline Copper Quat

CCA

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Protrusions• Playground

equipment components should not be able to entangle children’s clothing

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Gauges

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Testing for Protrusions

• Use the smallest of the three gauges first

• Move from smallest gauge to largest

• If any part of the protrusion extends beyond the face of the gauge, IT IS A HAZARD! =

1 2

3

12

3

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Special Protrusion Concerns

• Diameter should not increase in direction towards exposed end

=

=

Causes a “hook-like” effect

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Pinch, Crush, &Shearing Points

• Play pieces or components that….– Move against one another– Move relative to a stationary component

should not allow children access!• Equipment that might have pinch, crush, and shear

points:• Merry-go-rounds• Seesaws• Spring Rockers• Sand Diggers• Clatter Bridges

• Steering Wheels• Tire Swing Chains• Tricycle Go-Rounds

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Playground HazardsPlayground HazardsPlayground HazardsPlayground Hazards

Entrapment and EntanglementEntrapment and Entanglement

SurfacingSurfacing

Specific Equipment IssuesSpecific Equipment Issues

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Entrapment• Any opening on play equipment or structure

where a child could get stuck:– Stairs– Decks– Ladders– Rope climbers– Barriers

• To prevent entrapment, openings should be smaller than 3.5” or greater than 9.0”

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Reason

• A child’s torso is smaller than a child’s head

Cross Section of a two-year old child’s(5th percentile) torso is 3.5” by 6.2”

6.2” 3.5”

Belly Button

Back

Cross Section of a five year old child’s head (95th Percentile) from the tip of the

chin to the back of the head is 9.0”

9.0”

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What Can Happen?

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Hazard• Any opening between 3.5” and 9.0” may entrap a

child’s head whether– the child enters head first in one orientation and

attempts to withdraw the head in a different orientation;

– the child enters an opening feet first where the opening is large enough to allow the body to pass through, but not the head

• Entrapment can occur even if the child’s feet are touching the ground

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Templates/Probes

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Testing for Entrapment Hazard

• Using templates/probes– Any opening that allows the small torso

template/probe to pass through, but does NOT allow the large head template/probe to pass through

• FAILS = HAZARD– Any opening that does NOT allow the small torso

template/probe to pass through OR allows BOTH the small torso template/probe and the large head template/probe to pass through

• PASSES = NO HAZARD

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Conditions• Exception

– Where the ground acts as the lowest border of the opening

• Special Condition– Openings formed by flexible or moving climbing

components

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Exception• Where the ground acts as the lowest

border of the opening

NO HAZARD

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What About Synthetic Surfaces?

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Special Condition • Openings formed by non-

rigid climbing components– A force no greater than 50

lbs. may be applied when testing both the small torso template/probe and large head template/probe

– If one template passes and the other does not

• FAILS = HAZARD

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Entrapment Activity

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Entrapment Activity

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Entrapment Example

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Entrapment Activity

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Entanglement• Children’s clothing can become

entangled in play equipment

• Areas that can entangle clothing include– Protrusions and projections

– Upright “V” angles of less than 55

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Upright “V” Angle Hazard• Defined - any “V” shaped

corner less than 55 formed by adjacent components of play equipment

• Exception I - if one leg of the “V” is horizontal or sloping downwards

Horizontal

x

X 55

Horizontal

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Entanglement Activity

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Surfacing for Stationary Play Equipment

• Nationally nearly 70% of playground related injuries are from falls

• Fall injuries are a result of two things– the height a child falls from– the material/surface the child falls upon

• Provide “soft,” resilient, surfaces under and around stationary playground equipment that is more than 18” high

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Surfacing Activity

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“Soft,” Resilient Surfaces

• Wood mulch• Double shredded bark mulch• Engineered wood fiber• Sand, both fine and coarse• Pea gravel (!!ONLY in play areas for

children 3 years or older!!)• Manufactured/synthetic surfaces that

meet the ASTM 1292 standard

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Surfaces – Pros and ConsType Pros Cons

Organic Loose Low initial cost Decompose

Easy to install Microbial growth

Attractive Compact

Readily available Spreads easily

Inorganic Loose Low initial cost Combines with dirt

Easy to install Can be swallowed

Do not pulverize Conceal excrement

Readily available May be blown

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Critical Height and Depth of Surface

• Critical height - the maximum height a child may climb, sit or stand on the play equipment

• The depth of surface should be based upon the critical height of the equipment

The higher the equipment, the deeper the surface!!

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Depths of Acceptable Surfaces

Critical Height

Wood Mulch

Double -Shredded

Bark Mulch

Eng. Wood Fiber

Fine Sand

Coarse Sand

Pea Gravel*

> 18 inches or ≤ 5 Feet

6

6

6

6

6

6

> 5 feet but

< 7 feet

6

6

6

12

12

6

≥ 7 feet but

≤ 10 feet

9

9

9

12

12

9

(*ONLY in play areas for children 3 years or older!!)

(In Inches of Surfacing)

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Under and Around

• For equipment used by children 2 and older, surfacing (at the appropriate depth) should be placed around stationary play equipment for a distance of 6 feet

• For equipment used by children <2 years, surfacing only needs to extend for a distance of 3 feet.

• This area around stationary play equipment is called the “fall zone”

• Stationary equipment anchors located in the fall zone must be covered with surfacing material and not exposed

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Movable Equipment?

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Fall Zones• Fall zones may only overlap in certain situations:

– Around spring rockers– Around adjacent equipment that is more than 18” but

less than 30” in height

• Special Fall Zones– To-Fro Swings– Tot Swings (enclosed seats)– Tire Swings

Swing seats should be constructed from a soft, flexible material !!

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Swing Activity

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To-Fro Swing Fall Zone

• Fall zone should be equal to twice the distance from the pivot point to the surface (X), to the front and back of the swing

X

X =8 feet

2 x 8 (X) = 16

16 feet16 feet

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Tot Swing Fall Zone

• Fall zone should be equal to two times the distance from the pivot point to bottom of the swing seat (Y), to the front and back of the swing

Y = 6 feet

Y

12 feet12 feet

2 x 6 (Y) = 12

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Tire Swing Fall Zone• Fall zone should be equal

to six feet plus the measurement of the distance from the pivot point to top of the swing seat (H), to the front and back of the swing, and six feet around the support structure

H

H = 5 feet

6 feet6 feet

11 feet

6 feet + 5 feet (H) = 11 feet

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Guardrails and Protective Barriers

• Guardrails prevent inadvertent or unintentional falls from elevated platforms

• Barriers prevent attempts to climb over, around or through

• Elevated platforms intended for different ages have different requirements– Children under two years– Both preschool and school age children– Preschool children only– School age children only

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Critical Height and Elevated Platforms

• Measure critical height for platforms with guardrails from the top of the guardrail to the ground

• Measure critical height for platforms with protective barriers from the platform surface to the ground

• Maximum height of platforms used by children under 2 is 32”.

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Guardrails Are Needed WhenA B C

If equipment is used by

and height of elevated surface is

then minimum height top surface is

and height lower edge is

Preschool and School Age (2 - 13)

> 20” but ≤ 30” ≥ 38” ≤ 23”

Preschool (2 – 5) > 20” but ≤ 30” ≥ 29” ≤ 23”

School Age (5–13) > 30” but ≤ 48” ≥ 38” ≤ 28”

A

B

C

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Protective Barriers Are Needed WhenIf equipment is used by children who are -

A - height of elevated surface is

B - then minimum height top surface is

Under 2 years of age > 18” 24”

Preschool and School Age (2 to 13)

> 30” ≥ 38”

Preschool (2 to 5) > 30” ≥ 29”

School Age (5 to 13) > 48” ≥ 38”

A

B

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Playground Hazard Mastery Quiz

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Implementing a Playground Implementing a Playground Safety ProgramSafety Program


About 70% of playground-related litigation has been connected to maintenance issues

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Putting a Program in Place

A playground safety program must be comprehensive and consistent. A comprehensive system should include:

• Developing an INVENTORY• Conducting an AUDIT• Performing an INSPECTION• Creating a MASTER FILE

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Developing an InventoryDeveloping an Inventory

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Inventory• Location map of equipment complete with fall

zones• Name and address of equipment manufacturer• Installation and assembly information• Age of equipment• Depth of surfacing and type of surfacing• Critical height for each play component• Age of intended users for the playground or

specific pieces of equipment

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Example of Location Map

Center

Sandbox

Geodesic Climber6’ Fall Zone

Little Tykes Composite6’ Fall Zone

Tot swings20”8” Fall Zone

Spring Rocker6’ Fall Zone

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Proper Installation and Assembly

• Proper installation and assembly is CRITICAL to maintaining stability and integrity of playground structure

• Anchor all play equipment to the manufacturer’s specifications

• Have manufacturers representative or a person qualified to inspect playgrounds verify and DOCUMENT that the equipment was assembled and installed properly

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Conducting an AuditConducting an Audit

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Audit• The safety audit is a detailed examination

of each individual play component as well as the whole play area• The audit consists of three elements:

• Test• Evaluate• Repair

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Test Each Play PieceTest:• General Hazards

• Sharp points• Corners• Edges• Protrusions and projections• Pinch, crush, shearing points

• Entrapment and Entanglement• Surfacing• Specific Equipment

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Evaluate• Establish some criteria to evaluate level of

hazard• HIGH LEVEL OF HAZARD - Life or limb threatening• MEDIUM LEVEL OF HAZARD - Injury potential but not

life or limb threatening (pinch, crush, shearing points)• LOW LEVEL OF HAZARD - Minor injury potential

(rough, splintered wood)

• DOCUMENT!!

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Repair• Utilize evaluation• HIGH LEVEL OF HAZARD - Remove from play

immediately!! Contact equipment manufacturer and your consultant. If unable to retrofit or repair, remove permanently!!• MEDIUM LEVEL OF HAZARD - Repair or replace,

first priority expense• LOW LEVEL OF HAZARD - Repair or replace,

second priority expense

• DOCUMENT!!

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Performing an InspectionPerforming an Inspection

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Inspection• Use a checklist• Incorporate manufacturer’s suggested

maintenance into routine inspections• Inspections must be “HANDS-ON” • If necessary, initiate the repair process• If broken equipment discovered, remove

from play immediately!!

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Creating a Master FileCreating a Master File

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Master File• Inventory - once• Update when changes are made to the playground

• Audits - once a year• Test, Evaluate, and Repair phases

• Inspections - once a month• Use NCDCD Inspection Form

• Injury - whenever they happen• Use NCDCD Incident Report Form, Incident Log

• Training - as employees receive training• Keep a copy of the staff members certificate from

playground safety training

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First Soapbox

Operate under the principal Operate under the principal that if it has not been that if it has not been

documented in the Master File, documented in the Master File, it has not been done!!it has not been done!!

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Getting Everyone InvolvedGetting Everyone InvolvedGetting Everyone InvolvedGetting Everyone Involved

Childcare StaffChildcare Staff

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Principles of Supervision• Locate yourself so you can see the children at

play, and they can see you• Enforce proper use of play equipment!• Review playground rules with children in class

and on the playground• If equipment is broken, prevent children from

using by:– removing the equipment from the playground or– placing a barrier around the broken equipment– check with your local NCDCD consultant for further

advice and suggestions

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Wrong Location

• Your field of vision should not exceed 180°

• Make sure that one piece of play equipment does not block your view of others

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Right Location

• Supervise near high use or potentially dangerous areas

• If more than one teacher, swap positions at least once during the play period

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Second Soapbox

Supervision on the playground Supervision on the playground is just as important as is just as important as

supervision in the classroom!supervision in the classroom!

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Getting Everyone InvolvedGetting Everyone InvolvedGetting Everyone InvolvedGetting Everyone Involved

ParentsParents

ChildrenChildren

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Getting Parents InvolvedMaking a playground safe requires the cooperation of many people: planners, equipment manufacturers, child care staff and administrators, teachers, maintenance employees, children, and PARENTS!

Parents must be made aware of potential playground hazards and how THEY can contribute to making their child’s play time a safe time

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Getting Children InvolvedEngage older children in an “ideas” session where they come up with their own rules for safe play. Here are some ideas to get them started or to help if they get stuck:

• Always wait your turn

• One at a time on equipment

• Only sit upright in swings

• No pushing, shoving or rough play

• Grip rungs with thumb underneath rung

• Don’t walk close to swings and slide

• Always wear shoes

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Getting Children InvolvedWhat are some fun activities that would encourage children to begin thinking about safety?

• Create a game out of memorizing safety rules

• After time on the playground, ask children to act out or share a story about how they played safely

• Ask them to draw pictures of safe or unsafe practices on the playground

• Cut pictures out of magazines to create a safe, fun playground

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Summary• Children do get injured on playgrounds• Everyone can identify and remove

hazards from their playgrounds• Providing “hazard free” play

environments is important for the development and safety of children

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North Carolina Outdoor Learning Environments

Alliance

A statewide collaborative focused on improving the quality of outdoor environments for all children.

www.osr.nc.gov/ole

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Importance of Outdoor Play

• Sense of freedom for children and teachers

• Health benefits from physical activity

• Technology eating into outdoor time

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Outdoor Play Components

• Getting out the door• Safety outdoors• Developing outdoor

space• Program and

materials for outdoor play and learning

First aid kit

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Types of Play

• Active physical play• Engaged in

Observation• Quiet• Dramatic• Creative

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Outdoor Learning Environment Activities

• Child Directed

• Teacher Directed

Community Independent School, Chatham County

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Varied Opportunities

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Options to Enrich Outdoors

• Play crates• Transition area• Observation

opportunities• Semi-structures• Digging areas• Multiple age service

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Critical Factors• Engaging activities• Storage space• Water• Access to emergency medical sources• Access to restrooms• Interaction with the natural environment• Open space• Inclusive environment• Routine maintenance

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Outdoor Assessment Tools

• Needed to measure the quality of outdoor learning environments

• Parallel project directed by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

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The Outdoor Learning Environment Is Personal

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Safe Active Play Video

sensible safe play

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