Standard of Care

1
Standard of Care

• California Health Safety Code 115725-115730
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Pub.
  No. 325
• Handbook for Public Playground Safety
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  F1487
• Standard Consumer Safety Performance
  Specification for Playground Equipment for Public
  Use
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  F1292
• Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of
  Surface Systems Under and Around Playground
  Equipment
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  F1951
• Standard Specification for Determination of
  Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around
  Playground Equipment
• Americans with Disabilities Act

2
Types of Playground Inspections

• Routine and periodic high frequency
• Comprehensive low frequency

3
High Frequency Inspections

• Identify hazards and routine maintenance tasks
  such as litter, surfacing, maintenance,
  vandalism, and proper equipment functioning
• Daily, every other day, weekly
• Inspect area for general and obvious hazards
• Immediate corrective actions for routine
  maintenance tasks
• Less training and experience required

4
High Frequency Inspection Forms

• Playground name
• Time
• Date of inspection
• Weather conditions
• Name of inspector
• Name of person who corrects hazard
• Date and time of corrective action

5
High Frequency Inspection Forms

• Codes for conditions and corrective actions
• Supervisor name (printed, signed)
• Date supervisor signed and received the
  inspection form

6
Comprehensive

• Low frequency
• Determines compliance with current safety
  guidelines and standards
• Focuses on compliance with the standards of care
• CPSC Pub. No. 325, Handbook for Public Playground
  Safety
• ASTM F1487, Standard Consumer Safety Performance
  Specification for Playground Equipment for Public
  Use

7
Low Frequency Inspection Forms

• Playground name
• Time
• Date of inspection
• Weather conditions
• Name of inspector
• Name of person who corrected hazard
• Date and time of corrective action

8
Low Frequency Inspection Forms

• Codes for conditions and corrective actions
• Supervisor name (printed and signed)
• Date supervisor signed and received the
  inspection form

9
Playground Signage

• Separate children into age appropriate activities
• Preschool (ages 2-5)
• Tot lot
• School age (ages 5-12)

10
Playground Signage

• Encourage public to report playground hazards to
  the City
• Explain rules and regulations
• Hours of operation
• Requirements for small children to have adult
  supervision
• Specific playground equipment rules

11
Playground Signage

• Place signs at entry points to the play area
• Place specific playground equipment rules near
  the entry area for that piece of equipment
• Is typically a large sign with easily read
  lettering and yellow background
• Use universal pictograms

12
Playground Inspectors

• On-the-job observation skills
• Trained and tested at various playground sites to
  observe skill levels and decision making
• Audited by supervisor on playground safety
  inspection program
• Use playground safety inspection forms
• Follow playground manufacturer equipment
  inspection schedule.
• Identify training resources for playground safety
• Attend playground safety instructional seminars
• Attend a Certified Playground Safety Inspector
  (CPSI) course

13
Playground Maintenance

• Follow
• Standard playground equipment repair procedures
• Playground equipment manufacturer maintenance
  instructions schedule
• City playground safety maintenance program
• Perform specific maintenance duties
• Conditions of equipment
• Environmental hazards
• Surfacing materials