SAFETY

Playground Safety Standards

When you're in the business of providing play equipment for children, safety is always of the utmost importance. In fact Soft Play has taken an active role in both developing and adhering to the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Safety Performance Specifications for Soft Contained Play Equipment (No. F1918-98). It is the only standard in the world that specifically applies to soft contained play equipment.

Consultant Mary Lou Iverson of Iverson & Associates, a member of the Soft Contained Play Equipment (SCPE) committee that helps design these standards, points out, "When business owners purchase a new unit or have any rehab work done on existing units, all changes must conform to current standards. Make sure that whomever you hire is familiar with the standards and understands they must comply."

She offers these key safety guidelines for equipment owners and operators:

ACCESS/EGRESS

  • Entrances, exits, transfer points and platforms should all be accessible.
  • Avoid protrusions or entanglement hazards that could injure a child or snag their clothing.
  • There must be impact-attenuating safety surfacing around the access and egress points. The fall heights can be no more than three feet.
  • Where there are three or fewer entry points, at least one must be located on an accessible route (for those with disabilities). Where four or more entry points are provided, at least two must be provided on an accessible route.

MAINTENANCE

  • Manufacturers must supply maintenance and hygiene instructions for cleaning and sanitizing the equipment.
  • Some solvents - such as ammonia-based solvents - are not compatible with plastics. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
  • "Maintenance guidelines are part of the standard and they need to be adhered to," Iverson said. "You should perform weekly written inspections for both maintenance and safety. When you have a good comprehensive maintenance program your units will last longer."

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY


General Manager Ken Schober, along with Soft Play staff, have been national leaders in developing these and other guidelines which make play environments safer and reduce the potential for injuries. "All new Soft Play components are rigidly checked to ensure that they comply with all safety standards," Schober said.

Recently the Consumer Product Safety Commission initiated a Product Safety Circle "to promote good product safety practices by companies involved in making and selling consumer products." Through its parent company PlayPower, Inc., Soft Play was one of the founding members of the Product Safety Circle and was the only contained play equipment manufacturer to join.

Members pledge to uphold ten fundamental principles, including building safety into product design, performing safety testing, educating consumers and tracking safety performance.

For detailed information please visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov/businfo/psc.html