Playground Inspection Report 59 State Street Belchertown, MA Inspected by: Timothy L. McCarty, MSc, CSP, ARM, ALCM, CWSA, CXLT, CPSI, CSSM Risk Control Manager Trident Insurance Company Inspection Date: April 29, 2016 Report Date: May 5, 2016
Introduction Trident Public Risk Solution s Risk Control Department was asked to review the Playground at 59 State Street in Belchertown, MA by Steven Williams, Director of Public Works. The inspection was conducted on April 29, 2016 utilizing a standard set of probes and projection gauges, caliper, angle gauge and length measuring devices. Documents that were referenced in the inspection include: ASTM F1487 11: Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Public Playground Safety Handbook U.S. Access Board: Accessible Play Areas, A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas This report will highlight areas of improvement as observed at the time of the survey. There were a number of areas on the playground that had design deficiencies as some of the play equipment is dated and does not meet the present criteria. Additionally, the deficiencies with the surfacing and some of the recommendations revolve around improper maintenance. A periodic maintenance and inspection program will be important moving forward to ensure that the playground is kept in a condition that is as hazard free as possible to protect the children utilizing it. The playground does not currently meet the requirements of the ADA for accessibility. Should a major renovation be undertaken or a new playground be installed, the playground would need to be made accessible under the ADA guidelines. Important Note: Until such time as this playground is brought into compliance with all applicable standards, (highlighted in this report or not), or demolished, the playground should be closed for use and secured in such a manner as to deny access to anyone.
Definitions Barrier An enclosing device around an elevated platform that is intended to prevent both inadvertent and deliberate attempts to pass through the device. Composite Structure Two or more play structures attached or functionally linked, to create one integral unit that provides more than one play activity. Critical Height The fall height below which a life threatening head injury would not be expected to occur. Designated Play Surface Any elevated surface for standing, walking, crawling, sitting or climbing, or a flat surface greater than 2 inches wide by 2 inches long having an angle less than 30 from horizontal. Embankment Slide A slide that follows the contour of the ground and at no point is the bottom of the chute greater than 12 inches above the surrounding ground. Entanglement A condition in which the user s clothes or something around the user s neck becomes caught or entwined on a component of playground equipment. Entrapment Any condition that impedes withdrawal of a body or body part that has penetrated an opening. Fall Height The vertical distance between the highest designated play surface on a piece of equipment and the protective surfacing beneath it. Footing A means for anchoring playground equipment to the ground. Full Bucket Seat Swing A swing generally appropriate for children under 4 years of age that provides support on all sides and between the legs of the occupant and cannot be entered or exited without adult assistance. Geotextile (filter) Cloth A fabric that retains its relative structure during handling, placement, and long term service to enhance water movement, retard soil movement, and to add reinforcement and separation between the soil and the surfacing and/or sub base. Guardrail An enclosing device around an elevated platform that is intended to prevent inadvertent falls from the elevated surface. Infill Material(s) used in a protective barrier or between decks to prevent a user from passing through the barrier (e.g., vertical bars, lattice, solid panel, etc.).
Loose Fill Surfacing Material A material used for protective surfacing in the use zone that consists of loose particles such as sand, gravel, engineered wood fibers, or shredded rubber. Preschool Age Children Children 2 years of age through 5 years of age. Projection Anything that extends extends outward from a surface of the playground equipment and must be tested to determine whether it is a protrusion or entanglement hazard, or both. Protective Barrier See Barrier. Protective Surfacing Shock absorbing (i.e., impact attenuating) surfacing material in the use zone. Protrusion A projection which, when tested, is found to be a hazard having the potential to cause bodily injury to a user who impacts it. Roller Slide A slide that has a chute consisting of a series of individual rollers over which the user travels. School Age Children Children 5 years of age through 12 years of age. Slide Chute The inclined sliding surface of a slide. Stationary Play Equipment Any play structure that has a fixed base and does not move. Supervisor Any person tasked with watching children on a playground. Supervisors may be paid professionals (e.g., childcare, elementary school or park and recreation personnel), paid seasonal workers (e.g., college or high school students), volunteers (e.g., PTA members), or unpaid caregivers (e.g., parents) of the children playing in the playground. Toddlers Children 6 months through 23 months of age. Tube Slide A slide in which the chute consists of a totally enclosed tube or tunnel. Unitary Surfacing Material A manufactured material used for protective surfacing in the use zone that may be rubber tiles, mats, or a combination of energy absorbing materials held in place by a binder that may be poured in place at the playground site and cures to form a unitary shock absorbing surface. Upper Body Equipment Equipment designed to support a child by the hands only (e.g., horizontal ladder, overhead swinging rings).
Use Zone The surface under and around a piece of equipment onto which a child falling from or exiting from the equipment would be expected to land. These areas are also designated for unrestricted circulation around the equipment.
General Observations The playground is typical for a community built, wooden structure from approximately 30 years ago. As originally built, the playground did not meet the existing standards of the day. With age the condition of the playground has deteriorated and created additional hazards that could lead to injury. This report will highlight general observations as well as specific equipment related issues. Pressure Treated Lumber This play structure is constructed of pressure treated lumber which leaches toxic materials into the soil and exposes children to these materials through direct contact as well as through ground contact. The playground will need to be completely sanded to remove all splintered, weathered and other surfaces in the wood that is otherwise compromised. Several areas have such severe damage that the wood will need to be replaced. The sanding process will need to take place by a qualified contractor using respirators and dust capturing equipment to minimize exposure to dust or leaving residual dust on the playground. Numerous fasteners have worked themselves proud of the surface and will need to brought to flush with the surfaces they are attached to in order to prevent laceration, entanglement and protrusion hazards. Once the fasteners are all corrected, members replaced and surfaces sanded, the entire structure will need to be sealed to prevent any potential contact of the children with the wood surfaces. Surfacing Several test areas on the playground indicated an unacceptable depth of surfacing materials around the play structures. Most of the surface surrounding the play structure was bare ground with only a trace of the materials that were once there. Inadequate surfacing is one of the leading causes of injuries as children falling/jumping off equipment are not provided with adequate cushioning and can break bones or have concussions. The current surface will need to be excavated out from around the equipment and replaced with a suitable depth of material as can be found in the ANSI or CPSC standards.
Out of Compliance Play Elements The play structure contains play elements that are out of compliance with the standards today and several were out of compliance when the structure was built. These elements will need to be removed and any gaps or holes in the play structure barriers, guardrails or surfaces will need to be filled in to prevent a fall hazard. These will be highlighted in the following section. Age Appropriateness & Signage The standards specify that play structures be identified with signage that designates what age range the equipment is designed for: Toddler: Ages 6 23 Months Pre School: Ages 2 5 Years School Age: Ages 5 14 Years Different age appropriate equipment needs to be separated into separate play areas that have some sort of a barrier between them. The current play structure has multiple play areas all cojoined, which presents a high risk of injury to the younger children using the equipment. There does not appear to be a way to correct this hazard, but it is a significant issue of noncompliance with the standards. Additionally, there is no notification or warning signage as required by the standards. Supervision Sight Lines Playgrounds require supervision of children while playing. This is required to be posted in signage and is clearly spelled out in the standards. The playground layout is required to support this through having clear lines to sight so that those who supervise the children can maintain visual contact at all times. The nature of the existing play structure does not allow for this function, nor could it be modified to be in compliance and represents a hazard to users.
Specific Equipment Inspection Findings Slide needs to be removed as it does not meet the current standards and presents an entanglement, burn and fall hazard. The tire crawl needs to be removed as it presents an entrapment hazard.
The sliding pole should be removed as it does not meet the standards. Structural members such as this create an entrapment hazard that can lead to death of a child using the equipment. This area will need to be infilled to prevent this hazard and all areas of the playground thoroughly tested with a set of torso and head probes to identify all areas requiring infill as modifications are made.
The vertical climbing ladder presents an entrapment hazard and should have infill added behind. The handholds are not within the specified limits of 0.95 to 1.55 diameter as well as one is cut presenting a pinch hazard. The balance beams and the support post need to be removed as there is inadequate clearance.
The tire structure needs to be removed due to entrapment hazards and the attachment plates are a laceration hazard. The crawling tunnel needs to be removed due to elevated play surface issues, entrapment hazards and failure to meet minimum clearance requirements.
The circular slide needs to be removed due to burn hazards, entanglement hazards, dimensional and clearance issues and laceration hazards. The chain loops need to be removed due to entanglement hazards,
All balance beams and support structures that can serve as balance beams (there were noted to be 14) need to be removed as there is inadequate clearance for the fall zone. Repairs need to be made to the bench to eliminate the protrusion hazard.
An entrapment hazard that could lead to death. An entrapment hazard that could lead to death.
Entrapment hazards that could lead to death. In these cases on improperly installed guardrails and barriers, all instances need to be identified and infilled. This projection is both a protrusion hazard and an entanglement hazard. Additionally, the tire to wood surface presents an entrapment hazard.
This slide needs to be removed as it does not meet the standards and presents an entanglement hazard. This opening represents an entrapment hazard and needs to be infilled from behind.
This type of buried structural member represents a compromise to the surfacing that could be in place and would need to be removed prior to resurfacing. The overhead bars need to be removed as there is inadequate clearance to the platforms.
The top of this play structure needs to have infill added to eliminate the entrapment hazard. All handrails, handrail supports, structural members and supports need to be re engineered to reduce their horizontal surface areas to less than 2 square. Numerous areas throughout the play structure have this characteristic which classifies them as a play surface requiring access and barriers and guardrails.
Trident Public Risk Solutions provides the above program information in order to reduce the risk of insurance loss and claims. The information provided is not intended to include all potential controls or address any insured specifically. Trident also does not warrant that all loss and/or claims will be avoided if the program information is followed. By providing this information, Trident in no way intends to relieve the insured of its own duties and obligations, nor is Trident undertaking, on behalf of or for the benefit of the insured or others, that the insured s property or operations are safe, healthful, or in compliance with any law, rule or regulation. Insured s remain responsible for their own efforts to reduce risks and should consult their own legal counsel for appropriate guidance.