Inspector Levels

Playground safety inspections

The first day a new public playground opens for use is generally the last time that the playground owner/operation can feel somewhat confident that the entire area is safe and hazard free. The first day also marks the beginning of the playground’s routine, operational and preventative maintenance history. This includes timely inspections – and ultimately renovations and perhaps repairs – plus the continued compliance to current industry safety guidelines and standards. Every playground should be assessed and inspected for Compliance and Safety.

What are the different playground inspections and levels?

Routine visual inspection (Playground Inspector Level 1)

Defined by AS 4685.0:2017 clause no. 8.5.3, this inspection is to be conducted on a regular basis and identifies any obvious hazards that could result from wear and tear, vandalism and/or weather conditions.

Some example checks conducted during routine visual inspections are (but not limited to):

  • Inspecting for hazardous debris in the playground (e.g. glass, needles)
  • Inspecting soft-fall surfacing levels
  • Inspection for dead or damaged tree branches with the potential to fall onto the playground

Operational inspection (Playground Inspector Level 2)

Defined by AS 4685.0:2017 clause no. 8.5.4, this inspection is to be conducted on a regular, monthly or quarterly basis unless there are compelling reasons. This inspection is more detailed than routine visual – during the inspection the equipment’s stability, operation and examination for wear is inspected on top of routine visual inspection checks. 

Some example checks conducted during operational inspections are (but not limited to):

  • All checks noted in AS 4685.0:2017 clause no. 8.5.3 routine visual
  • Excessive wear on moving parts
  • Secure bolts and fasteners
  • Structural integrity test (e.g. push-pull)
  • Foundations for exposed concrete, rot, and corrosion

Comprehensive post-installation inspection (Playground Inspector Level 3)

Defined by Australian Standards (AS) 4685.0:2017 clause no. 8.5.2, this inspection is conducted by a competent person to verify conformance and identify any tasks to be conducted to achieve conformance to the AS 4685 series and impact-attenuating surfacing test in AS 4422 prior to a playground opening. Inspection reporting is to also include risk, risk/benefit assessments that have been carried out on any non-conformance identified.

Comprehensive inspection (Playground Safety Inspector Level 3)

Defined by AS 4685.0:2017 clause no. 8.5.5, this inspection is to be conducted on an annual basis and like comprehensive post-installation inspection determine conformance with the AS 4685 series and establish the overall level of safety of the equipment and surfacing. 

During a comprehensive safety inspection, hazards are categorized by their potential for causing severe injury. The resulting report will help you determine which hazards require immediate corrective action, which should be next on the list, and which are minor enough to allow corrective action as time and money permit.

The first day a new public playground opens for use is generally the last time that the playground owner/operation can feel somewhat confident that the entire area is safe and hazard free.

The first day also marks the beginning of the playground’s routine, operational and preventative maintenance history. This includes timely inspections – and ultimately renovations and perhaps repairs – plus the continued compliance to current industry safety guidelines and standards.

Every playground should be assessed and inspected for Compliance and Safety.

All the following information is from Standards Australia – AS 4685.0:2017 development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation. 

This reference is available to purchase directly from Standards Australia https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-au/.   

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