CPSC Document #323
Each year, about 200,000 children are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for playground
equipment-related injuries - an estimated 148,000 of these injuries involve public playground
equipment and an estimated 51,000 involve home playground equipment. Also, about 15 children
die each year as a result of playground equipment-related incidents. Most of the injuries are
the result of falls. These are primarily falls to the ground below the equipment, but falls
from one piece of equipment to another are also reported. Most of the deaths are due to
strangulations, though some are due to falls.
1. Protective Surfacing
Since almost 60% of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground,
protective surfacing under and around all playground equipment can reduce the risk of serious
head injury.
Falls on asphalt and concrete can result in serious head injury and death. Do not place
playground equipment over these surfaces. Also grass and turf lose their ability to absorb
shock through wear and environmental conditions. Always use protective surfacing.
Certain loose-fill surfacing materials are acceptable, such as the types and depths shown in
the table.
Certain manufactured synthetic surfaces also are acceptable; however, test data on shock
absorbing performance should be requested from the manufacturer.
Fall Height In Feet From Which A Life Threatening
Head Injury Would Not Be Expected
|
Type of Material
|
6 "Depth
|
9 " Depth
|
12" Depth
|
|
Double Shredded Bark Mulch
|
6
|
10
|
11
|
|
Wood Chips
|
7
|
10
|
11
|
|
Fine Sand
|
5
|
5
|
9
|
|
Fine Gravel
|
6
|
7
|
10
|
2. Use Zones
A use zone, covered with a protective surfacing material, is essential under and
around equipment where a child might fall. This area should be free of other equipment and
obstacles onto which a child might fall.
Stationary climbing equipment and slides should have a use zone extending a minimum of 6' in
all directions from the perimeter of the equipment.
Swings should have a use zone extending a minimum of 6' from the outer edge of the support
structure on each side. The use zone in front and back of the swing should extend out a minimum
distance of twice the height of the swing as measured from the ground to the swing hangers on
support structure.
3. Swing Spacing
To prevent injuries from impact with moving swings, swings should not be too
close together or too close to support structures. Swing spacing should be:
- At least 8 inches between suspended swings and between a swing and the support
frame.
- At least 16 inches from suing support frame to a pendulum see- saw.
- Minimum clearance between the ground and underside of swing seat should be 8
inches.
- Swing sets should be securely anchored.
4. Elevated Surfaces
Platforms more than 30" above the ground should have guardrails to
prevent falls.
5. Potential Head Entrapment Hazards
In general, openings that are closed on all sides,
should be less than 3 1/2" or greater than 9". Openings that are between 3' 1/2" and 9" present
a head entrapment hazard because they are large enough to permit a child's body to go trough,
but are too small to permit the head to go trough. When children enter such openings, feet
first, they may become entrapped by the head and strangle.
6. Potential Entrapment and Strangulation Hazards
Open "S" hooks, especially on swings, and
any protrusions or equipment component/hardware which may act as hooks or catch-points can
entangle with children's clothing and cause strangulation incidents. Close "S" hooks as tightly
as possible and eliminate protrusions or catch-points on playground equipment.
7. Pinch or Crush Points
There should be no exposed moving parts which may present a pinching
or crushing hazard.
8. Playground Maintenance
Playgrounds should be inspected on a regular basis. Inspect
protective surfacing especially mulch, and maintain the proper depth. If any of the following
conditions are noted, they should be removed, corrected or repaired immediately to prevent
injuries:
- Hardware is loose or worn, or that has protrusions or projections.
- Ropes, and items with cords placed around the neck can get caught on playground equipment
and strangle a child. Many children have died when a rope they were wearing got caught on
playground equipment, or they became entangled in a rope.
- Supervise, and teach your child safe play. Teach your child not to walk or play close to
a moving swing, and not to tie ropes to playground equipment.
- Exposed equipment footings.
- Scattered debris, litter, rocks, or tree roots.
- Rust and chipped paint on metal components.
- Splinters, large cracks, and decayed wood components.
- Deterioration and corrosion on structural components which connect to the ground.
- Missing or damaged equipment components, such as handholds, guardrails, swing seats.
