Augusta County SchoolsPlayground Safety Training:

Playground Safety Facts

• In the United States, an average of 250,000 playground related injuries and 17 playground related deaths are reported each year.

• 44% of playground injuries result from inadequate supervision that contribute to playground injuries

• Most playground injuries occur within the first five minutes of the children's arrival.

• 79% Of injuries are the result of falls.

Three safety components

• Safe equipment • Playground

maintenance• Good

supervisory practices

Safe Equipment

Guidelines for planning and purchasing playground equipment are found in the

handbook.

Playground Maintenance

Fall / Use Zone

• Fall or use zone means the area underneath a piece of equipment and surrounding the equipment far enough to include a child’s trajectory in the event of a fall.

Critical Height

• Based on tests, 9 inches of compressed Engineered Wood Fiber will protect a child on equipment up to 10 feet in height.

• Twelve inches will protect a child on equipment up to 11 feet in height.

Resilient Surfacing

Where playground equipment is provided, resilient surfacing shall comply with minimum safety standards…A fall zone shall encompass sufficient area to include the child’s trajectory in the event of a fall while the equipment is in use.

Resilient Surfacing

• Should be at a minimum of 9-12 inches of Wood chips (engineered wood fiber). Refer to playground handbook.

Use/Fall Zone ~ Slides

• Six feet on all sides• Four feet plus the

height of the slide in front of the slide chute– a six foot high sliding

board requires a 10 foot use zone

Use/Fall Zone ~ Swings

• The basic use zone is 6 feet, however, for swings, the use zone is twice the height of the swing beam in the front and back– 6 foot beam = 12 or 24

foot use zone– 8 foot beam = 16 or 32

foot use zone

Entrapment

• Head entrapment occurs when the body fits through a space but the child’s head cannot pass through the same space.

• Young children’s heads are larger than their bodies.

Entrapment

• Play equipment used by children shall meet the following requirements:

• 1. Openings above the ground or floor which allow a 3.5 inch by 6.25 rectangle to fit through shall also allow a nine-inch circle to fit through;

Measuring Entrapment Spaces

• The torso of a small child can pass through a 3.5 X 6.25 inch opening

Measuring Entrapment Spaces

• The head of a child can pass through a 9 inch circular opening.

“S” Hooks

• S-hooks, where provided, may not be open more than the thickness of a dime;

SUPERVISIONWhen staff are supervising children, they shall always

ensure their care, protection and guidance. –See

Playground Handbook

Safe equipment is not enough

because

equipment does not supervise children

Active Supervision Means:

• Clear lines of sight• Scan the area every

20 seconds• Move around and

actively monitor behavior

Playground Supervision To Ensure Supervision:

• Have a plan• Active, not passive

supervision• Establish rules of safe

play or safe conduct• Anticipate: behavior

before it occurs

A PLAN MEANS:

• Your School has a written playground safety plan-see Handbook

• The staff should know and follow the plan

Simple Playground RulesStay in your own space Make room for others

Look before you leap

Chips stays on the ground

Walk between the swings and slide

Use the slide ladder Respect each other

Take turns

ANTICIPATE MEANS:

• Stop unsafe behavior immediately:– Bullying– Improper use of

equipment– The “mad” dash– Unsafe clothing such

as drawstrings on hoods

Anticipate:

Children running ahead of the main group Late arriving children

Transitions:Going out to or coming in from the playground

Restroom location

Visually sweep a new area upon arrival

Moving from area to area