Operational Playground Check
(to be done once each term)
Kindergarten Name :
Items to be assessed for
potential hazards
Term 1 Check
1.Access and Entrance
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Have all weeds been removed, vegetation cut
back, litter removed? Playground, equipment,
access, entry free of protrusions or share edges?
Are all access ramps, steps, paths, entrances free
of slipping and tripping points? Check for any
water pooling areas or collecting leaves.
2.General Site Layout
Does the playground have good visibility for
supervision? Are paths around playground clear of
hazards, cracks, trips, vegetations? Is playground
environment in good condition – free of rubbish?
Are seating, decks, sheds, storage bins, rubbish
bins in good condition? Has any damaged
equipment been immobilised so it cannot be used –
large and small items (eg sandpit toys) Is all
rubbish kept securely away from the children?
Are items stored safely in the shed or storeroom?
Area all tools such as rakes, spades, brushes etc in
good and safe working condition?
3.Fences and Gates
Area all fences, gates and other barriers safe and
secure? Do automatic latches and gate closing
mechanisms work properly? Are fences at required
heights? No objects near fences that would allow
a child to escape?
Risk
Term2 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Term 1
Name :
Date : March 09
Risk
Term 2
Name
Date
Term 3 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Term 3
Term 4
Name
Date
Annual Inspection
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Name
Date
Risk
Action/Comment
GM decision required?
Items to be assessed for potential
hazards
Term 1 Check
4.Surfacing
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Pay particular attention to equipment high
use/wear areas – eg under swings
Loose-Fill Material
Check depth 300mm – 400mm, rake back to worn
areas. Has surface been raked to remove rubbish
that may cause hygiene problems> Any broken
glass, rocks, foreign objects> Are borders
secure? Material deterioration or contamination
by soil or other matter? Drainage?
Synthetic Material
Is surface material in good condition and secure
with no trip points? Not clogged with sand or
other material? Material deterioration or
subsurface failure?
5.Fixed Equipment platforms, structures
and frames
Check child cannot fall from height greater than
1.5m. If platform height over 600mm there must
be a barrier around all edges and a guardrail
across each opening. Foundations and structure
free of movement, rot or corrosion? Foundations
not exposed. Any sign of water penetration into
structure or fittings? Bulging? All handrails,
guardrails, barriers, decks, platforms and bolts
secure? Any obvious physical damage or missing
parts or bolts? Vandalism? Check end
caps/grommets on bolts, screws, tube ends.
Cracked or damaged plastic or wood panels? Any
protruding screws, nails, bolts, sharp edges,
splintering or cracks? Any loose items brought
into playground – ropes, rocks, logs? Are surfaces
free from moss, moulds, unhygienic matter? Slip
hazards? Entrapment hazards? Check that
handrails, guardrails and barriers are secure and
suitable for a child’s grip.
Risk
Term2 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Term 3 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Annual Inspection
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Action/Comment
GM decision required?
Items to be assessed for potential
hazards
Term 1 Check
6.Mobile Equipment
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Is there safety surfacing under all equipment over
600mm? Is there at least 1.5m safety surfacing
around all moveable equipment? Maximum height
of any climbing box is 1.2m. Maximum height of
other equipment such as an overhead ladder no
more than 1.5m. Check adequacy of supervision.
Check equipment cannot tip or fall while in used.
Check for protruding bolts, nails, screws etc.
Check no sharp edges, cracks, splinters, frayed
ropes. Check condition of all fastening and
securing points. Is the moveable equipment
secured to prevent unauthorised use outside
session hours? (Note – a locked gate to
playground is sufficient)
7.Slides
Check for correct safety surface around slide and
for runoff area. Check for correct connection to
support if this is a moveable slide. Check for
damage to slide or its support. Check frame, slide
chute and supports for looseness, corrosion,
splinters.
8.Stairs, ladders, ramps
Slope of stairs should be constant and should have
at least three risers. Treads to be evenly spaced
– min depth at least 140mm.Front of each tread to
be vertically above the back of the tread below.
Handrails must be in place from first step. Rungs
and steps for ladders must be stable and equally
spaced. Rungs to meet requirements for grasping
– ie width not more than 60mm. Ladders to be
placed so that foot can rest on each rung – ie
needs to be about 90mm clear space from centre
of each rung. Ramps to be of constant gradient,
with no slip hazard. Ramps needs barriers if fall
height of more than 600mm.
Risk
Term2 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Term 3 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Annual Inspection
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Action/Comment
GM decision required?
Items to be assessed for potential
hazards
Term 1 Check
9.Ropes. cables, nets, chains and tyres
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Term2 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Term 3 Check
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Risk
Annual Inspection
Risk
Action/Comment
GM decision required?
Hazard? Potential
Harm?
Are ropes, chains and tyre nets in good repair, no
modification or cuts? Check fastening of chains,
ropes and tyres. Fraying rope/cable ends? If
wear in chain connection is greater than 40% worn
advise replacement. Frayed or broken cable
strands need repair or replacement. Are drain
holes in tyres clear? No exposed steel wires?
(Steel belt radials should not be used.) Dimensions
of nets do not create entrapment hazards? Check
climbing nets secure at top and bottom.
10.Swings
Check for smooth swing action, seat for damage.
Check swing chains or ropes for signs of wear.
Check for entrapment on any chains. Check
karabiner or connection to swing frame beam.
Have attachments been lubricated where
necessary? Check seat and pivot connections for
tightness, karabiners for closure. Check for any
protrusions on swing seat or connections. Is the
seat over 350mm from ground? Check placement
of swing items in each bay. Check overall frame,
foundations etc. Advise on any adjustments to use
and positioning of swings. Check safety surfacing
– approx 3m in front and behind swings.
11.Sandpits
Are sandpit edges and supports secure – no
warping, entrapment gaps, splinters etc. Any sign
of pooling water or drainage issues? Is sandpit
adequately covered or raked daily to remove
foreign objects? Check condition of sand and
depth – ideally 600mm. Check surrounds for
splitting, warping, splinters, nails etc.
The level of risk is dependent on factors including the likelihood of an occurrence and its potential for causing injury or death. The qualitative ratings are found in SAA/SNZ HB 436:2005 Risk
Management Guidelines – companion to AS/NZS 4360:2004.
VH = Very High
H = High
M = Medium
L = Low
Existing Hazards being managed by the Kindergarten - or waiting for action.
(note – these should be on the Kindergarten Hazard Register)
Hazard : ( Insert Kgtn Name )
1.
How is this being managed?
or
What action is planned? When?
Assessment of
effectiveness
(check by Playground
Safety Team)
Assessment of
effectiveness
(check by Playground
Safety Team)
Assessment of
effectiveness
(check by Playground
Safety Team)
Assessment of
effectiveness
(check by Playground
Safety Team)
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
(
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Keep in Safety Management Folder – current year and one previous year
Playground Safety Check
Response from Head Teacher
Kindergarten
Head Teacher
I have received the Playground Safety Check
for:
Term ______ Year ______
Signature ________________
Date ____________________
I accept this report and:
 Will undertake to address the
recommended actions.
 Will transfer the identified hazards to our
Hazard Register
Comments – eg assistance required in
addressing issues......
Please list the issues requiring a
response.
I have some queries or questions about
this report which require further discussion or
clarification before I can accept the report
Signature __________________
Date _____________________
Please post, fax or email a copy of this response form to the PPM Team Leader
after you have read and reviewed your Playground Report.
Many thanks.
Operational
Playground Check & Related Processes 2009
17 September 2007
6