Otsego Northern Catskills

BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Language

Playground Safety and Inspection

Mandate:
Legislation and/or Regulation:

Education Law does not have specific regulations regarding playgrounds. Compliance with the Handbook for Public Playground Safety by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is required.

HANDBOOK—Public Playground Safety

What the SRM Service can do to help:
Training and Workshops:

Training/workshops for playground supervisors/monitors in proper procedures for inspection and safe use of playground equipment by children of all ages.

Services:

Advise districts on compliance issues regarding playground equipment and use.
Assist districts with regular playground equipment inspection and written documentation of inspection if needed.

National Playground Safety

Week is April 27, 2020 to May 1, 2020

CPSC offers the following tips to help prevent injuries and other hazards on public and home playgrounds:

The Commission provides these important life-saving tips:

Always supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
Purchase playground equipment that meets the latest safety standards.
Maintain at least 9 inches of protective surfacing, including shredded/recycled rubber, wood chips, wood mulch (non-CCA treated), sand or pea gravel under and around playground equipment to cushion children from falls.
Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, extend protective surfacing in front and back of the swing, twice the height of the suspending bar.
Repair sharp points or edges on equipment. Replace missing hardware and close “S” hooks that can cause injuries.
Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play equipment due to the strangulation hazard.

Download free copies of ...
Handbook for Public Playground Safety (CPSC-325),
CPSC’s Outdoor Home Playground Handbook (CPSC-324, PDF),
Home Playground Safety Checklist (CPSC-323),
and more at CPSC publication.

Or visit www.cpsc.gov for more information

You can find more information about National Playground Safety Week at www.playgroundsafety.org the Web site for the National Program for Playground Safety.

Related Links

Public Playground Safety Handbook
S.A.F.E. Framework for Playground Safety