Standard of Care

1. Standard of Care • California Health & Safety Code §115725-§115730 • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Pub. No. 325 • Handbook for Public Playground Safety • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1487 • Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for PublicUse • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1292 • Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1951 • Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment • Americans with Disabilities Act

2. Types of Playground Inspections • Routine and periodic – high frequency • Comprehensive – low frequency

3. High Frequency Inspections • Identify hazards and routine maintenance tasks such as litter, surfacing, maintenance, vandalism, and proper equipment functioning • Daily, every other day, weekly • Inspect area for general and obvious hazards • Immediate corrective actions for routine maintenance tasks • Less training and experience required

4. High Frequency Inspection Forms • Playground name • Time • Date of inspection • Weather conditions • Name of inspector • Name of person who corrects hazard • Date and time of corrective action

5. High Frequency Inspection Forms • Codes for conditions and corrective actions • Supervisor name (printed, signed) • Date supervisor signed and received the inspection form

6. Comprehensive • Low frequency • Determines compliance with current safety guidelines and standards • Focuses on compliance with the standards of care • CPSC Pub. No. 325, Handbook for Public Playground Safety • ASTM F1487, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for PublicUse

7. Low Frequency Inspection Forms • Playground name • Time • Date of inspection • Weather conditions • Name of inspector • Name of person who corrected hazard • Date and time of corrective action

8. Low Frequency Inspection Forms • Codes for conditions and corrective actions • Supervisor name (printed and signed) • Date supervisor signed and received the inspection form

9. Playground Signage • Separate children into age appropriate activities • Preschool (ages 2-5) • Tot lot • School age (ages 5-12)

10. Playground Signage • Encourage public to report playground hazards to the City • Explain rules and regulations • Hours of operation • Requirements for small children to have adult supervision • Specific playground equipment rules

11. Playground Signage • Place signs at entry points to the play area • Place specific playground equipment rules near the entry area for that piece of equipment • Is typically a large sign with easily read lettering and yellow background • Use universal pictograms

12. Playground Inspectors • On-the-job observation skills • Trained and tested at various playground sites to observe skill levels and decision making • Audited by supervisor on playground safety inspection program • Use playground safety inspection forms • Follow playground manufacturer equipment inspection schedule. • Identify training resources for playground safety • Attend playground safety instructional seminars • Attend a Certified Playground SafetyInspector (CPSI) course

13. Playground Maintenance • Follow • Standard playground equipment repair procedures • Playground equipment manufacturer maintenance instructions schedule • City playground safety maintenance program • Perform specific maintenance duties • Conditions of equipment • Environmental hazards • Surfacing materials