Kidsafe NSW promotes child injury prevention and education in an effort to preserve and protect the lives of our children.

Playground Inspection Services

Playground inspections are an important part of playspace maintenance. The Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit (PAU) inspection services are conducted by experienced Level 3 Playground Inspectors.

 

Playground Inspection

Benefits of a regular and thorough Playground Inspection Program may be:
  • Reduction in potential playground injuries
  • Effective resource utilisation
  • Efficient planning and budgeting
  • Improved public image and community relations 
  • The Kidsafe NSW inspection report is a useful document which can form part of the organisation’s Playground Safety Management System
Comprehensive Playground Safety Inspection (Annual)

This is a detailed inspection to establish the overall safety and condition of equipment, foundations and surfaces (NB: Kidsafe NSW does not conduct drop testing on playground surfaces). It focuses on conformance with the current Australian Standards for playgrounds and industry best practice. The purpose of the Comprehensive Playground Safety Inspection is to identify and report on non-conformance; potential hazards on and in the playground; equipment; within the design and installation; maintenance; and environmental conditions that could present possible risk to children/users. A written report is provided which includes recommendations for rectifying non-conformances and making repairs. Each identified non-conformance is risk assessed according to ISO 31000. 

Comprehensive Post-Installation Playground Safety Inspection

A Post-installation Comprehensive Playground Safety Inspection is provided to verify that the playspace is ready for use and that the equipment supplied and installed conforms with the current playground Standards. It is recommended that this type of inspection be conducted prior to handover from the designer/developer/installer to the playground owner. .A written report is provided which includes recommendations for rectifying non-conformances and making repairs. Each identified non-conformance is risk assessed according to ISO 31000. 

Operational Playground Safety Inspection (Maintenance 3-6 monthly)

An Operational Playground Safety Inspection will identify and check the operation and stability of the equipment; assess any wear e.g. components where wear could be expected such as bearings, moving and/or missing parts, vandalism and damage, loss of playground surfacing, loose components etc. A written report is provided which includes recommendations for rectifying non-conformances and making repairs. Each identified non-conformance is risk assessed according to ISO 31000.

 

Comprehensive Post Installation Inspection VS Certification of Playground

Kidsafe NSW often receives requests for a compliance inspection or certification of a playground, post installation, to prove that a playground and or installation complies with the relevant Australian Standards.

Certification or statements of compliance for playground equipment and surfacing are issued by a certifying engineer or testing house contracted by the playground equipment manufacturer and surfacing supplier. Tests are performed and recorded as prescribed in the Australian Standards. 

It is not possible to ‘certify’ that a playground ‘complies’ with an Australian Standard. There is in fact no Australian Standard for playgrounds – only equipment (AS4685) and surfacing (AS4422). When purchasing a service to determine if a playground meets the Standards or to qualify for a ‘certificate’ it is important to obtain a clear understanding of what exactly is being assessed for compliance or conformance. 

A comprehensive post installation inspection verifies conformance with the Australian Standards and checks the overall safety of the equipment, foundations and playground surfaces. The inspection report also documents measurement of impact areas and falling spaces; testing for entrapments; checking structural integrity; installation; finish of equipment and the materials used.

 

For further information, visit the website at: kidsafensw.org or to book an inspection call the Playground Advisory Unit on 02 9845 0893.

Call the Playground Advisory Unit to make a booking on 02 9845 0890 or complete the online  " Expression of Interest" form.

NOTE: For regional areas, it is more efficient and cost-effective (for both clients, and the PAU) if a number of inspections within the same area are conducted at the same time. You may like to organise other groups in your area, otherwise your request will be placed on our regional waiting list until further bookings are made in your area.