Playground Safety
Disclaimer:
This material is designed and intended for general informational purposes only, and is not
intended, nor shall it be construed or relied upon, as specific legal advice.
INTRODUCTION
Parents entrust their children to playgrounds,
allowing
them
to
function
as
social
engagements, exercise opportunities and a form
of childcare. Playgrounds help develop a child
physically,
intellectually,
socially,
and
emotionally. However, according to the United
States Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC), each year doctors and hospitals treat
more than 220,000 injuries related to
playgrounds. A playground can be a dangerous
place for a child if safety standards,
maintenance, and supervision are overlooked.
Playgrounds may be located indoors or
outdoors and may be supervised or
unsupervised. They serve a variety of people –
they can be privately owned, belong to a school,
daycare, an apartment complex or mobile home
park, or can be run by a city, county or state.
This manual focuses on outdoor playgrounds
accessible to the public and designed for users between the ages of 2 and 12. An indoor
playground safety section is also provided at the end with various recommendations for indoor
equipment.
CAUSES OF PLAYGROUND INJURIES
Entanglement—Hoods or drawstrings can catch in equipment, strangling the child.
Head/Neck Entrapment—Any opening that allows a child to enter feet-first, but is not large
enough to allow their head to pass can result in strangulation.
Crush and Shear Points—When moving equipment parts and solid objects make contact, a
body part that gets in the way may be cut, bruised, fractured, or amputated.
Falls to Protective Surfaces—Injuries from falls can be severe when the playground’s
protective surface is inadequate. Falls to the surface on which playground equipment is located
account for about 75% of all playground injuries.
Factors that contribute to playground injuries include inappropriate equipment design/layout,
installation errors, and poor maintenance practices.
PLAYGROUND REGULATIONS
Playground equipment should, at a minimum, be built and maintained according to the rules and
regulations your state enforces. Several states have passed public playground legislation and
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most follow either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards or the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines. ASTM is an international voluntary
organization that develops standards for materials, products, systems and services. The CPSC
is a government-funded agency that focuses on protecting the public from risks of serious injury
or death from consumer products. If your state follows the ASTM regulations, consult the
American Society for Testing and Materials Standard F 1487-11, “Standard Consumer Safety
Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use.”
The recommendations contained within this section of the Loss Prevention Information Manual
are based on the CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook, ASTM standards, and EMC’s loss
control experience.
PLAYGROUND SURFACE
Falls are the leading cause of injury on public playgrounds. Appropriate surface material can
help absorb the shock of a child’s fall, reducing the severity of an injury. Concrete, asphalt,
hard-packed soil and grass should never be directly beneath a piece of equipment.
The use zone for playground equipment is the surface under and around a piece of equipment
where a child would be expected to land. The use zone for most types of equipment is 6 feet,
meaning that the surface material underneath the structure should reach out 6 feet in all
directions from the outside edge of the equipment. Some equipment, such as swings, have
additional use zone requirements. In some cases, it is safe for use zones to overlap, while in
others, such as merry-go-rounds, it is not. The use zone is described in detail for each type of
equipment in the “Playground Equipment” section on page 6.
Unitary Surfacing Materials
Unitary surfacing materials are rubber mats, poured-in-place surface systems, tiles, and
other energy-absorbing materials that have been tested to ASTM standards. Unitary
surfacing materials are appropriate for protecting surfaces beneath equipment designed for
toddlers, as well as most indoor play structures. Some dark colored surfacing materials can
get extremely hot when exposed to intense sunlight and can cause temperature-related
burns. Children should wear shoes at all times when playing on these materials in an
outdoor setting to protect against burns and blisters.
Loose-fill Surfacing Materials
Loose-fill surfacing materials include wood chips, engineered
wood fiber, mulch, sand, pea gravel or shredded rubber.
Loose-fill materials will compress at least 25 percent over time
from use and weather, so proper maintenance is important.
Areas under swings and slide exits are especially important to
maintain due to the tendency of users to displace the
cushioning material. Good drainage is essential to loose-fill
surfacing because standing water reduces the effectiveness
of the protection and can wash away material. Loose-fill
materials should be at least 9 inches deep. The following table, developed by the Family
Health Administration of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, illustrates
the minimum depths of cushioning materials.
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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
Some equipment does not require protective surfacing underneath, including playhouses, sand
boxes and blacktop areas for playing sports and other outdoor activities, because they do not
require children to leave ground level.
There is no perfect surfacing material. Issues to consider when selecting surfacing include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fall height from equipment
Cost
Frequency of use
Ease of maintenance
Method of containment
Accessibility
PLAYGROUND LAYOUT
Age Groups
As children grow, their abilities develop. Younger children cannot reach as high or step as
far as older children. The center of gravity and eye level of a 2-year-old is much different
than that of a 12-year-old. As a result, a playground should provide different play areas for
various age ranges.
Play areas designated for preschool-age children should be separated from play areas
designated for school-age children. Preschool-age children are at a disadvantage because
they are much smaller and less developed than school-age children. They might be unable
to safely maneuver more difficult equipment and are at a greater risk of injury if involved in a
collision with another child. The age-designated areas should be separated by a buffer zone
with shrubs, fences or benches with separate supervision for each area. Signs should also
indicate the appropriate age level for each area.
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The following section lists some suggested playground equipment appropriate for various
age groups:
Toddlers: under age 2
•
•
•
•
•
Climbing equipment under 32
inches high
Ramps
Single-file step ladders
Slides
Spiral slides less than 360°
•
•
•
•
Spring rockers
Stairways
Swings with full bucket seats
Playhouses and toddler-scale
play structures
•
•
•
Spring rockers
Stairways
Belt, full bucket, and rotating tire
swings
Space to hop, skip, scoot, roll
and crawl
Fort-like playhouse settings that
promote social interaction
Preschool: ages 2-5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dome or arch climbers
Flexible climbers
Merry-go-rounds
Ramps
Rung ladders
Single-file step ladders
Slides
Spiral slides up to 360°
•
•
Grade school: ages 5-12
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Arch climbers
Chain or cable walks
Free standing climbing
equipment with flexible parts
Flexible climbers
Fulcrum seesaws
Horizontal, rung and step
ladders
Overhead rings
Merry-go-rounds
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ramps
Ring treks
Slides
Spiral slides more than one 360°
turn
Stairways
Belt and rotating tire swings
Track rides
Vertical sliding poles
Fort-like structures
Conflicting Activities
Playgrounds should be designed to prevent injuries caused by conflicting levels of activity
and children running between activities. Active physical activities should be separated from
more passive or quiet activities. For example, a child descending a slide might collide with
children playing in a sandbox if it were located near the slide exit region. To avoid this type
of collision, slides and other active equipment should be located in uncongested areas of the
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Playground Safety
playground. The CPSC also makes the following recommendations about playground
layout:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Moving equipment, such as swings or merry-go-rounds, should be located toward
the corner, side or edge of the play area.
Slide exits should be located in uncongested areas.
Popular or heavy-use equipment and activities should be dispersed to avoid
overcrowding.
Equipment higher than 30 inches should be spaced at least 9 feet apart to prevent
collisions and allow children to move about comfortably.
Playgrounds should be laid out so that parents, caregivers and monitors can keep
track of children as they move throughout the playground environment.
Visual barriers should be minimized as much as possible.
Children with Disabilities
All ages of children with varying abilities turn to a playground for fun. If a child using the
playground has a disability, the playground should be accessible. The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations contain specific requirements that both new and existing
playgrounds should consider.
Accessible Routes
The playground should provide an accessible route of travel to the play area for children
with disabilities. This accessible path should be made of appropriate material, such as
rubber mats, to help protect falling children. The route should be at least 5 feet wide to
allow two wheelchairs to pass. Additionally, a turnaround and parking space at least 5
feet in diameter should be provided next to any accessible structures.
Transfer Devices
Grab bars or other devices can help disabled children transfer from their wheelchair to
the play structure. To access elevated points, steps less than 8 inches tall will let
disabled children move about and play with their peers. These steps should be at least
14 inches deep and 24 inches wide.
Ramps
Ramps are another way for children to access elevated points. Ramps should be at least
36 inches wide with handrails and curbs. Each ramp should be less than 12 feet long,
with landings at least 5 feet in diameter. Ramps should have slopes no greater than
1:12.
Play Structures
According to the ADA, a playground should provide a specific number of pieces of
playground equipment accessible to children with disabilities. This number is based on
the amount of play experiences offered to nondisabled children, but which are not
accessible to disabled children.
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Play Components
There are two different types of play components—the ground level play component
and the elevated play component. A ground level play component is accessed and
exited at the ground level. An elevated play component is accessed from above or
below grade and is part of a composite play structure. A composite play structure
consists of two or more play components that are attached or linked with multiple
play activities.
Play Experiences
Play equipment creates different types of play experiences, including rocking,
swinging, climbing, spinning and sliding.
For ground-level play components, the ADA suggests that at least one piece of
equipment representing each play experience should be located on an accessible
route. For example, if there is a set of four swings and two slides in an area, at least
one swing and one slide should be accessible.
The number and variety of ground-level play components required to be on an
accessible route is also determined by the number of elevated components provided
in the play area, as shown in the table below. This provides a variety of experiences
for individuals unable or unwilling to leave their wheelchair.
Number of elevated play
components provided
Minimum number of
ground-level play components
required to be on accessible
route
1
Not applicable
2 to 4
1
5 to 7
2
8 to 10
3
11 to 13
4
14 to 16
5
17 to 19
6
20 to 22
7
23 to 25
8
More than 25
8 plus 1 for each additional 3
over 25, or fraction thereof
Table 2: Required number of ground-level play components per
elevated play component on an accessible playground
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At least 50 percent of the elevated play components should be on an accessible route. If
ramps provide access to at least half of the elevated play components, including at least
three different play types, then additional ground level components are not required.
For more information regarding the ADA and playgrounds, visit the United States Access
Board website.
Other Considerations
There should be no exposed concrete footings, tree roots or rocks within the playground
area that could cause children to trip and fall. Walkways and play areas should be clear of
trash and clutter.
Playgrounds may be located near roads, parking lots, lakes, ponds, streams, drop-offs, cliffs
or other hazards. A fence or hedge is a good way to keep children out of these areas.
Proper supervision is also required to keep children safely away from these hazards.
Metal and plastic equipment should not be located in direct sunlight, as these surfaces tend
to get hot and may cause serious contact burn injuries. Metal and plastic equipment should
be placed in shaded areas or located out of direct sunlight. Rubber mats, asphalt and other
surfacing material may also get hot, so children should always wear shoes when playing on
the playground.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Certain equipment routinely causes injury and is unsafe for children on the playground. Hard
animal swings, multiple occupancy swings, rope swings, trapeze bars and trampolines should
be avoided at all times.
Stationary Equipment
Elevated platforms on stationary equipment or composite play structures should be flat and
level with small openings to allow for drainage. The use zone around the platform should
extend at least 6 feet in all directions and may overlap with other equipment. Guardrails or
protective barriers should be located on elevated platforms according to the height of the
platform and the designated age group the structure was designed to serve.
Guardrails and Barriers
Guardrails and barriers are designed to help accidental falls from elevated platforms and
walkways. Guardrails are designed to prevent inadvertent falls through an opening, while
barriers are designed to prevent access and egress through an opening.
A guardrail is typically composed of a horizontal top rail with evenly spaced vertical bars.
Openings between the vertical bars should be more than 9 inches apart. Protective barriers
provide greater protection as there are no openings greater than 3.5 inches and do not allow
a child to pass through. They are typically intended for toddlers, but should be located on
every surface more than 48 inches above the ground.
The table and diagram shown below illustrates the guardrail and barrier recommendations
for elevated platforms.
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Guardrails and barriers must not impose an entrapment hazard. The image below show
probes that are used to test the openings on guardrails and protective barriers. The probe
on the right is 9 inches in diameter, representing a child’s head. The probe on the left
measures 3.5 inches by 6.2 inches, representing a child’s torso. Clearly, the opening
between the barrier and platform present a head entrapment hazard; a child’s body could fit
through the bars feet first, but the child’s head may not.
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Swings
Swings should be located away from other play structures and activities and should not be
attached to a composite play structure. Swing seats should be smoothly finished with blunt
or rounded edges. The swing support structure should be designed to discourage climbing.
They should not be made of metal or wood to avoid burns, splinters and impact injuries.
Rope swings are also unsafe, as rope degrades over time.
An S-hook, shown to the right, is one method of
attaching the chain to the overhead support bar and
to the swing seat. They should be pinched closed to
avoid catching a child’s clothes and to prevent
strangulation. An S-hook is considered closed if the
gap is .04 inches or less (approximately the
thickness of a dime). A clevis, shown to the left, is a
preferred attachment method, due to the tendency of
S-hooks to spread open.
Single Axis Swings
Single axis swings move back and forth on a single plane. They consist of a single seat
hanging by two chains from an overhead structure. Only two single axis swings should
be located within a single bay. Adjacent swings should be at least 24 inches apart and at
least 30 inches away from the supporting framework. The vertical distance between the
underside of the swing seats and the protective surfacing below it should be at least 12
inches (24 inches for full bucket swings). Swing seats should be designed to
accommodate only one user at a time.
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The protective surface beneath a single axis swing should extend to the front and rear at
least twice the vertical distance from the pivot point and the ground, as shown in
Appendix A. This extended surface helps protect children who may jump or fall from a
swing. The use zone to the front and rear of the swing should never overlap the use
zone of another piece of equipment.
Multi-axis Swings
Multi-axis swings, or tire swings, use three suspension chains or cables that connect a
tire to an overhead structure. A swiveling connector permits both rotation and swinging
motion in any direction. If a multi-axis swing is used it should be the only swing within the
supporting structure. Drainage holes should be provided in the underside of the tire so
that water does not collect within it.
There should be at least 30 inches between the multi-axis swing and the supporting
framework in all directions to protect the child from impact with the supporting
framework, as shown in Appendix B. The minimum clearance between the bottom of the
seat and the protective surface below should be at least 12 inches. Surfacing material
should extend at least 6 feet in all directions and the use zone should not overlap the
use zone of another piece of equipment.
Full Bucket Seat Swings
Full bucket seats are recommended to keep infants and toddlers under 4 years old from
sliding out and causing injury. Children in full bucket seats should always be under adult
supervision. They should be isolated from other types of swings to help prevent
collisions with older children. The pivot point on full bucket swings should be located
between 47 and 96 inches above the protective surfacing. The use zone to the front and
rear of the swing should never overlap the use zone of another piece of equipment.
Slides
Slides can be freestanding, part of a composite structure or built on the grade of a natural or
man-made slope. There are various types of slides that children might encounter on the
playground, including:
•
•
•
Embankment slide
Roller slide
Spiral slide
•
•
Straight slide
Tube slide
Slides should be well-anchored with firm handrails and have good traction on the steps.
They should be positioned to minimize sun exposure, either in the shade or facing away
from the sun. Slides placed in direct sunlight may become hot enough to cause serious
contact burn injuries on children’s hands, legs, feet and buttocks.
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There should be a platform at the top of the slide
where children can transition from standing to a
seated position. The platform should be horizontal,
and at least 19 inches long for toddlers and 14 inches
long for preschool age or older children. It should be
at least as wide as the slide chute and should be
surrounded by barriers that prevent the passage of a
small child through it. A bar or hood is recommended
to cover the platform and channel children into the
seated position. The bar or hood should provide
handholds for support and should not have any
hardware projections or gaps that can trap strings,
clothing or body parts.
All slides should provide a horizontal exit area at the bottom of the chute. This will help
children regain their balance during the transition from sitting to a standing position. The
horizontal exit area should face away from heavy traffic and other pieces of equipment. The
edges of the exit region on the slide should be rounded or curved to prevent cuts and
injuries. For toddlers, the exit area should be from 7 to 10 inches long and no more than 6
inches above the protective surfacing. For preschool- and school-age children, the exit area
should be at least 11 inches long. If the slide is less than 4 feet high, the exit area should be
less than 11 inches above the protective surfacing; when the slide is more than 4 feet high,
the exit area should be between 7 and 15 inches above the protective surfacing. Frequent
maintenance of the protective surfacing near the slide exit may be necessary to maintain the
recommended exit heights.
The use zone around the slide should extend at least 6 feet in all directions. The use zone in
front of the exit should be at least as long as the slide is high, with a minimum of 6 feet and
a maximum of 8 feet.
Seesaws
There are two basic types of seesaws: the fulcrum seesaw and the spring-centered seesaw.
The fulcrum style, or teeter-totter, is the most common type of seesaw. It consists of a board
or pole with a seat at each end supported at the center by a fulcrum. Each seat should be
equipped with hand grips. Two children are required to operate the seesaw. Fulcrum
seesaws are not recommended for toddlers or preschool-age children.
Partial car tires, or some other shock-absorbing material, should be embedded in the ground
beneath the seats of the seesaw. This helps prevent injury if one child suddenly dismounts.
The second type of seesaw is the spring-centered seesaw, intended for preschool-age
children. A centering device prevents abrupt contact with the ground if one child dismounts
suddenly. The seat design should not allow more than one child in the seat. Each seat
should be equipped with hand grips and footrests.
The use zone for both types of seesaws should extend at least 6 feet from each outside
edge. It is safe for the use zone to overlap with neighboring equipment.
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Merry-go-rounds
A merry-go-round is a rotating circular
platform equipped with hand grips.
Children sit or stand on the platform
while other children or adults push the
merry-go-round to make it rotate. They
are not intended for toddlers, and
preschool-age children and should
always be supervised. The rotating
platform should have a maximum height
of 14 inches above the protective
surface for preschool-age children and
18 inches for school-age children. The
platform should be continuous, level, free from sharp edges and approximately circular. The
most common injury with merry-go-rounds involves children falling off. Additional injuries can
occur when children crawl under merry-go-rounds while they are in motion and are struck by
structural components of the equipment. The underside of merry-go-rounds should also be
smooth and free from sharp edges. A use zone of at least 6 feet from the platform is
required, and it cannot overlap the use zone for any other piece of equipment. .
Climbing Equipment
Climbing equipment is generally designed to challenge children’s upper body strength. It is
intended for school-age children. Examples of climbing equipment include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
Arch climbers
Dome climbers
Chain and net flexible climbers
Parallel bars
Sliding poles
•
•
•
•
Spiral climbers
Horizontal overhead ladders
Overhead rings
Track ride
Climbing equipment should not have climbing
bars or other elements inside the structure that
a child may fall onto from a height greater than
18 inches. On composite play structures, a
climber should not be the only means of access.
For example, an elevated platform might have a
flexible climber attached, but a set of stairs
should also be provided.
Overhead
climbing
structures
are
not
recommended for toddlers. For school-age
children, the rungs should be no greater than 15
inches apart and no more than 84 inches above
the play surface. For preschool-age children,
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the rungs should be no more than 60 inches above the play surface. Rungs should be
between 0.95 and 1.55 inches in diameter and should not roll or twist.
The maximum height of the take-off/landing structure should be 18 inches for preschool
users and 36 inches for school-age children. Surfacing material should extend a minimum of
6 feet in all directions from the equipment perimeter. It is safe for the use zone to overlap
with neighboring equipment.
For more information on the various types of climbing equipment, consult the CPSC Public
Playground Safety Handbook.
Sliding Poles
Sliding poles should be continuous with no protruding welds or seams. The pole should be
between 18 and 20 inches away from the platform and should extend at least 60 inches
above the level of the platform. The diameter of the pole should be no greater than 1.9
inches. They are not recommended for toddlers or preschool-age children. Surfacing
material should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions from the sliding pole. It is safe
for the use zone to overlap with neighboring equipment.
Balance Beams
Balance beams allow children to develop their balancing skills. The top of the beam should
be no higher than 12 inches from the ground for preschool-age children and no higher than
16 inches from the ground for school-age children. Balance beams are not recommended
for toddlers. The support posts of the beam should not pose a tripping hazard.
Stepping Forms
Stepping forms allow children to develop their balancing skills. Each form should be
stationary and have a diameter of at least 10 inches. The maximum height of the form
should be 20 inches for preschool users and 30 inches for school-age children, unless hand
support is provided. The spacing between stepping forms should be no greater than 12
inches for preschool users and 18 inches for school-age children.
Log Rolls
Log rolls allow school-age children to develop their balancing skills. The top of the roller
should be no higher than 18 inches above the protective surfacing. Handgrips should be
provided to aid in mounting and dismounting.
Spring Rockers
Spring rocking equipment consists of a structure mounted to a coil spring. Each seating
position should have a handgrip and footrest. Handgrips should be at least 3 inches long
and footrests should be at least 3.5 inches. Handgrips and footrests should not present a
protrusion hazard. Looped designs are preferred. The top of the seat should be between 14
and 18 inches above the protective surfacing.
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PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE
Playground maintenance is performed to ensure that equipment is functional, safe and sanitary.
If playgrounds are not properly maintained, safety hazards may develop that can cause injuries.
Surfacing Maintenance
Playground surfaces should be inspected routinely. The protective surfacing material should
always be at least 9 inches deep within the use zone of each piece of equipment to provide
adequate protection. The surfacing material should be maintained free of extraneous
materials that could cause injury, infection, or disease.. Maintenance of surfacing materials
should be performed according to the frequency of playground usage, the type of surfacing
materials used on the playground, the soil and drainage conditions and the prevailing
weather conditions. The surfacing material on heavily used playgrounds may require raking
several times a day to maintain the desired depth and positioning of the material.
Landscaping Maintenance
Trees and greenery on the playground also require maintenance. If a tree is not properly
maintained, limbs might fall to the ground and result in injury to a child. Tree limbs should be
at least 7 feet above the highest play element so as not to provide an overhead obstruction.
The grounds should be checked regularly for poison ivy. Potential trip hazards, such as toys
and garbage, should also be removed from the playground surface. During winter months,
remove snow and ice from the walkway to the playground. However, playgrounds should not
be used if the protective surfacing is frozen or covered with snow and ice.
Environmental Maintenance
A playground should provide a sanitary environment for children. Maintenance staff should
periodically look for and remove animal feces, bird droppings, litter, insects, toxic chemicals,
foreign objects and dead animals within the area. Maintenance staff should also keep an
eye out for graffiti and other vandalism to equipment and buildings.
Equipment Maintenance
Wooden equipment should be inspected for cracks and splinters, while metal equipment
should be inspected for rust and sharp edges. There should be no loose fasteners and no
missing or broken parts on playground equipment. Footings, guardrails, and handholds
should be secure. The age of the children using the playground, the age of the equipment
and the extent of playground usage are factors that determine the amount and frequency of
maintenance required. All equipment repairs should be documented and filed for future
reference.
Playgrounds with lead-based paint pose a potential risk to children. However, playground
equipment with lead paint that is intact and in good condition is not considered to be a
hazard. Lead is a cumulative health hazard, especially for younger children who may ingest
paint dust and chips that contain lead. If playground equipment was built before 1978, it
should be inspected for lead-based paint. If playground equipment has lead-based paint, it
should be regularly inspected to make sure the paint is not deteriorating. If deterioration
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Playground Safety
occurs, remediation of the lead paint should be completed or the equipment removed from
the playground.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
Supervision is important to ensure a safe playground. Depending on the type of playground, a
teacher, parent or designated monitor might provide supervision.
Duties
Monitors should make supervision of the children their top priority. There are several key
areas of responsibility for playground monitors.
Inform Children of Hazards
Monitors should check the playground each day before children begin to use it for
obvious hazards and keep children away from dangerous areas or remove the hazard
entirely. Of particular concern is the condition of the playground at the start of the day.
Possible morning hazards include wind damage to equipment or trees, refreezing of
melted snow, broken glass and any inappropriate objects left on the premises by
evening visitors.
Other hazards might include sharp points, corners and edges, pinch and crush points,
entrapment hazards, tripping hazards and rust. Fallen trees and branches, stray animals
and insect hives might also be dangerous to children. If there is a hazard on the
playground that cannot be immediately removed, the monitor should report it to
maintenance or the proper authorities. Make sure children know about the hazard and
instruct them to stay away from it.
Enforce Safety Rules and Regulations
Monitors should inform children of safety rules on the playground. Rules should be set
up by facility authorities and consistently enforced by the monitor. Monitors should
explain the rules to children and not just rely on posted signs, as some children might be
unable to read. There should be predetermined consequences for disobeying the rules.
There are some general rules that monitors should enforce. Children should wear shoes
at all times to prevent cuts and temperature-related burns on their feet. They should not
wear drawstrings or loose clothing, as string and fabric can get caught on the equipment.
Bike helmets should also not be worn. The monitor should not allow horseplay or other
potentially dangerous actions to take place on the playground, such as walking
backwards up the slides, standing in front of moving swings and incorrectly using
equipment. Climbing outside of or on top of guardrails should also be prohibited, and
children should not be allowed to tie scarves or jump ropes to playground equipment.
Monitors should make sure that children play in the proper age-designated areas.
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Stay within Proximity of Children
Monitors should stay within a reasonable proximity of
children at play. They should be able to see every child
on the playground and know how many children there
are. They should walk around the playground and
assess each area periodically. Depending on the size
of the playground and number of children, more than
one monitor may be necessary. In this case, monitors
should be stationed on opposite ends of the playground
or in separate areas. They should be spread out across
the play area instead of congregating together to talk.
If multiple monitors are not available to cover a large
area, the monitor might need to restrict the children to a
smaller play area. For example, if a large open area
separates two areas of play equipment, the monitor
might only allow the children to play in one area.
If a tree, shed or other building element creates a blind spot on or near a playground, the
monitor should inspect it frequently. Strangers, dangerous activities and other hazards
might be lurking in the hidden area.
Provide First Aid
If an injury occurs, monitors should be ready and able to provide first aid. Monitors
should be trained in basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bloodborne
pathogens and the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED), if one is available.
They should be able to administer care to non-serious injuries, including cuts, scrapes,
bruises, rashes, some temperature-related illnesses, sunburns and burns from
equipment. For serious injuries, they should know when to call for emergency medical
help. The monitor should carry a first aid kit that contains, at a minimum, gloves, band
aids and antiseptic. Other items might include the following:
•
•
•
•
Gauze pads
Antibiotic ointment
Instant cold packs
A breathing barrier
•
•
•
Scissors
Roller bandages
Tweezers
Be Aware of Weather Conditions
Monitors should be aware of weather conditions, because certain weather conditions
may cause injury or illness to a child. For example, warm temperatures might cause heat
exhaustion, heat stroke or sunburn, and cold temperatures might cause hypothermia or
frostbite. Monitors should not allow children to play on the playground if the heat index is
above 100°F or if the wind chill is below 0°F.
Slides placed in direct sunlight should be monitored, as they become extremely hot and
may cause temperature-related burns to children’s hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks.
Unshaded slides and those with southern exposure are more likely to become
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dangerously hot. If a slide is hot enough to burn a child, the monitor should restrict
children from the area.
Monitors should also make sure children are wearing appropriate clothing for outdoor
play. Coats and boots might be necessary in colder temperatures, while t-shirts and
shorts might be acceptable in warmer temperatures. Children should always wear shoes
or boots on the playground. If children are barefoot, they risk cuts and temperaturerelated burns on their feet from playground surfaces.
Report Intruders
Monitors should know the visitor rules of the facility. If they encounter a stranger on the
grounds, they should follow the established reporting and contact guidelines of the
facility. They should never leave the playground to question or report a stranger.
Suspicious individuals and vehicles outside the premises of the playground should also
be reported.
The monitor should be aware of how many children are on the playground at all times. If
a child leaves or is missing, the monitor should report to administration as soon as it
happens or is noticed. At that time, necessary elements of the emergency action plan
should be implemented.
Report Bullies
Monitors should be aware of bullies on the playground. Bullying is the intentional
tormenting of one child by another in physical, verbal or psychological ways. It may
involve hitting, shoving, kicking, name-calling and threatening. Bullying can result in
injury and emotional and behavioral problems.
The monitor should be aware of reasons bullying might occur, including differences in
age, abilities and popularity. Consistent enforcement of consequences is important when
dealing with a bullying child. The monitor is responsible, to the level indicated by the
administration, for stopping all bullying actions and reporting these issues according to
facility guidelines.
Qualifications and Training
When hiring a playground monitor at a school or daycare, criminal screening and a
background check should be conducted. Once hired or selected, monitors should be trained
in facility rules, emergency action plans, first aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens and the use
of an AED if one is available. On playgrounds where a monitor is not provided, parents
should take responsibility for their own children.
Monitors should understand common causes of injuries on the playground, how to inspect
the playground equipment, how children should properly use the equipment, and how to
identify, report and protect students from hazards on the playground.
Communication
The monitor should be able to communicate with children, other monitors, administration
inside the school or daycare and emergency authorities. Whistles and bullhorns are
common methods of communicating with children and other monitors. Many schools use a
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two-way radio system to communicate with administration inside the school building. The
monitor should also have access to a phone to contact 911 and other authorities.
When communicating with a child on the playground, the monitor should get down to the
child’s level and talk eye to eye. The monitor should use a firm tone, but not yell at the child.
When a child performs a risky activity, the monitor should explain what he or she did wrong
and the consequences of performing the activity.
Emergency Action Plan
In an emergency, the monitor should implement the facility’s emergency action plan. This
plan should be organized in advance by the administration and should include guidelines for
different types of emergencies. Some common plan elements for school playgrounds
include responding to a tornado, severe weather, an intruder or a serious injury. Each
playground’s emergency action plan will vary depending on the resources available and the
types of emergencies common to the area.
For weather-related emergencies, the emergency action plan should have a designated
shelter area. The monitor is responsible for making sure that all children on the playground
reach the shelter safely during an emergency, such as a tornado or severe weather. The
monitor should have building keys or fobs to allow quick reentry into the building when
necessary.
If a fire occurs in a building near the playground, such as the school or daycare facility, the
monitor is responsible for making sure children reach the designated assembly area safely
away from the building.
Schools might face security threats, such as armed or unarmed intruders. The emergency
action plan in this case should designate the preferred sheltering location on the grounds as
well as an off-location site where children can take shelter. These types of emergencies are
often overlooked, but require special consideration in the case of a playground.
For more information, consult EMC’s Emergency Action Plan Tech Sheet.
INJURIES AND SICKNESS
The monitor should be trained in CPR and first aid. When providing aid to a child, the following
tips apply:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Remain calm.
If the injury is severe, call for help.
Comfort the child.
Always use universal precautions like gloves and eye protection. For more information,
consult the EMC Loss Prevention Information Manual section on Bloodborne Pathogens.
Do not move child if neck, head or back injury is suspected.
Check for breathing and a pulse if the child is unresponsive.
Wash hands after performing first aid.
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Complete all required paperwork following an injury. This usually consists of an incident
report.
It is the monitor’s responsibility to call professional medical attention whenever necessary. They
should also report the accident according to facility guidelines, which may include notifying
school or daycare administration and the parents of the child.
•
Weather Conditions
Various weather conditions affect the safety of playground equipment and can cause injury.
For example, when playground surfacing freezes during cold weather, it loses its protective
properties.
When playground equipment gets wet, children might slip and fall. The monitor should be
especially careful during wet and freezing weather to watch for potential accidents.
Monitors, authorities or parents should check the temperature of metal and plastic
playground equipment when exposed to intense sunlight. Surfaces may become hot enough
to cause serious contact burn injuries. Children may experience second- and third-degree
burns to their hands, legs, feet and buttocks when they come into contact with metal and
plastic stairs, decks or slides. Younger children often lack the cognitive ability to recognize
they are being burned and need help.
To prevent temperature related illnesses, children should not play outside on the playground
if the heat index is above 100° F or if the wind chill is below 0° F. For warmer weather,
children should have access to water and shade to cool off, and in cooler weather, a place
where they can get warm.
Warm Temperatures
Extreme temperatures are responsible for a variety of conditions that may harm children,
including temperature-related illnesses. Dehydration, or the excessive loss of fluids from
the body, combined with heat, puts the child at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
It is the monitor’s responsibility to be aware of the early signs of these conditions and
respond accordingly. The early signs of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, headache,
muscle cramping, irritability, extreme fatigue, weakness, dizziness and decreased
performance. Early signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating,
rapid or weak heartbeat, cool skin, cramps, headache and fatigue. If a monitor notices
any of these signs, or if the child complains of any of these signs, the child should be
moved to a cool place, drink a glass of cool water and should refrain from physical
activity for the remainder of the day. For extreme conditions, the monitor should contact
medical authorities.
Cold Temperatures
In freezing temperatures, hypothermia and frostbite can occur. Hypothermia can occur
when the child’s internal body temperature drops below 95° F. The child does not have
to be exposed to sub-zero temperatures; hypothermia can occur anytime the child is
exposed to cool, damp conditions. A child with hypothermia is also susceptible to
frostbite.
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Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, weakness and loss of
coordination, confusion, pale and cold skin, drowsiness and slowed breathing or heart
rate. One might also notice a slowing of pace, stumbling, thickness of speech, blueness
of skin and dilation of pupils. If not treated, hypothermia can result in cardiac arrest,
shock, coma or even death.
Frostbite is the temporary or permanent damage of skin tissue caused by a prolonged
skin tissue temperature of 23° F or below. It is essentially the freezing of skin and the
underlying blood vessels. Symptoms include numbness and loss of sensitivity and touch
in the frostbitten area. The area might also tingle or feel as though it is burning in the
beginning stages. The area will originally appear white and frozen, but as frostbite
progresses, turns yellowish and appears waxy. The tip of the nose, earlobes, fingertips
and toes are the most likely places frostbite might occur. If a child appears to have
frostbite, immediately consult medical attention and get the child out of the cold.
Concussion
A concussion may result from a bump, blow or jolt to the head. There are many hazards on
the playground that can cause a concussion, including impact with a piece of equipment or
another child, a fall from a piece of equipment or a blow from a thrown object. A concussion
may not necessarily result in loss of consciousness.
A child who has experienced a concussion might appear dazed and confused, move
clumsily with poor balance, show mood, behavior or personality changes, or have memory
loss. He or she might exhibit nausea or vomiting, dizziness, double or blurry vision or a
headache. The child might not report these symptoms until hours or days after the injury. If a
monitor witnessed the original bump, blow or jolt, he or she should remove the child from the
playground and seek medical attention.
Stings, Bites and Rashes
Insect stings and bites are common among children and adults
on playgrounds. Insect bites and stings cause redness and
swelling to the injured area. Many insects inject venom when
they bite or sting, which may trigger an allergic reaction in
children. Serious allergic reactions can be fatal. Keep children
away from areas where insects build hives and nests. Open
ends of pipes or tubing on playground equipment should be
capped to prevent insects from nesting inside. The underneath
side of elevated platforms should also be periodically checked
for nests and hives.
Mosquito bites may result in the West Nile virus, which can be a serious, life-altering disease
and can even result in death. Ticks can carry many diseases, including Lyme disease, which
may result in infection that can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.
Children might also come into contact with lice, fleas, chiggers and mites. If a child is
constantly itching and shows signs of swelling, the monitor should inform the administration.
Be cautious of wild animals on the playground. Wild animals that are unafraid of humans
might be carrying rabies, a rare but potentially deadly disease. Rabies spreads through the
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saliva of an infected animal. There is no cure for rabies, but a vaccine given shortly after the
bite can promote immunity before symptoms develop. Notify 911 immediately after any
animal bite on the playground.
Monitors should be on the watch for pets roaming the playground, such as dogs and cats. If
a stray animal is spotted on the playground, the monitor should notify animal control
authorities immediately and try to keep the animal in sight so it can be captured. The
monitor should keep children away from the area the animal is in and should not attempt to
capture it.
The monitor should be aware of poisonous plants that may grow in the area. If poisonous
plants grow anywhere on a playground, maintenance should eliminate them and the area
monitored for growth. If a child experiences any of the following symptoms after coming into
contact with greenery, the monitor should contact medical authorities.
•
•
•
Itching of the skin
Redness or inflammation of the
skin
Tenderness and swelling of the
skin
•
•
Rash at the site of exposure
Lesions at the site of exposure
INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS
Indoor playgrounds enable children to play inside and may be supervised or unsupervised. They
are often found in preschools, churches, malls and fast food restaurants. Although indoor
playgrounds should follow most of the outdoor playground recommendations, there are a few
differences that should be considered.
Every indoor playground should possess the following:
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•
•
•
•
An emergency action plan
Emergency exits
Adequate visibility for monitors and parents
Age appropriate activities
Accessibility for all abilities
Indoor Playground Equipment
Indoor playgrounds often incorporate soft, contained play equipment into the structures.
These may include inflatable castles and slides, ball pits, plastic crawl tubes and slides,
climbing nets and other pieces of equipment. Most indoor playgrounds use mats as
protective surfacing material. To help prevent trips or ankle sprains, mats should be placed
tightly together and should be kept in good condition.
Because indoor play equipment must conform to the size of the play area, the size of the
equipment is usually limited. Manufacturers set height restrictions for children on the
equipment based on the size of the equipment. If children do not fall within the size
restriction for the play equipment, they should not use the equipment.
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A common piece of indoor equipment is the ball pit. Ball pits are large enclosures filled with
soft, plastic balls that children can move around in. Do not let children bury themselves
under the balls for long periods of time, as this may cause suffocation or injury. If a slide
exits into the ball pit, a child might strike another child buried underneath the balls. Balls
should be cleaned regularly to help prevent the spread of germs and disease. Several
manufacturers recommend that balls be washed at least once a week. If not properly
cleaned, bacteria can build up on the balls, and children can contract upper respiratory tract
infections and diarrhea.
The balls in ball pits and the padding on the floor might contain latex, an ingredient found in
rubber products. Latex is a common allergen and could trigger a severe allergic reaction in
an allergic child. A child that is allergic to latex should not play in ball pits or other equipment
that could be made with latex.
Indoor Playground Supervision
Depending on the location of the playground, various levels of supervision are
recommended. Oftentimes, it is the parent’s job to keep an eye on their children. In a
preschool, however, it is the teacher or monitor’s responsibility to watch them.
Monitors should be aware of established rules and enforce them properly. Some equipment
requires shoes at all times, while others require socks. There are also size restrictions to
consider that may vary from playground to playground. Some common indoor playground
rules include:
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•
•
•
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Sanitize hands prior to entering and thoroughly wash hands after every bathroom
visit.
No sick children in the play area, including children with fevers, rashes and
infections.
No food and drink.
No running or rough play.
A parent, guardian or monitor must be present to supervise.
An indoor playground monitor should understand the facility’s emergency action plan, keep
a watchful eye on the children, enforce rules and communicate with others when necessary.
Indoor Playground Maintenance
Plastic play structures should periodically be inspected and wiped clean to rid the equipment
of germs. The equipment should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s standards.
CONCLUSION
A multi-faceted approach is the most effective way to prevent playground injuries.. Equipment
should be selected and installed per current safety standards and inspected regularly for
potential hazards. Adequate protective surfacing should be provided and maintained beneath all
play components, and trained playground supervisors should be available during organized play
periods. Warning signs and labels should be posted in prominent locations to advise parents of
the age appropriateness of the equipment, the need to remove helmets and drawstrings, and
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possible hot surfaces. Many playground accidents have occurred because hazards were
overlooked. Don’t let that be said of you!
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMC Loss Prevention Information Manual: www.emcins.com
•
•
•
Bloodborne Pathogens
Emergency Action Plans
Stings, Bites, and Rashes
National Program for Playground Safety: www.playgroundsafety.org
National Safety Council: www.nsc.org
International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association: www.ipema.org
United States Access Board: Guide on Play Areas
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov
American Society for Testing and Materials: www.astm.org
Standard F1487-11, “Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground
Equipment for Public Use.”
Standard F2373-11, “Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground
Equipment for Children 6 Months through 23 Months”
Standard F2223-10, “Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing”
Standard F1148-12, “Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home
Playground Equipment”
© Copyright Employers Mutual Casualty Company 2013. All rights reserved.
Select images © 2010 JupiterImages Corporation.
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APPENDIX A: USE ZONES FOR SINGLE AXIS BELT SWINGS
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APPENDIX B: MULTI-AXIS SWING CLEARANCE
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