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Write a risk assessment for Kids play area

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A suitable risk assessment and safety file for a children’s play area should be built around a documented hazard assessment, site-specific inspection regime, clear supervision and safeguarding arrangements, maintenance records, emergency procedures, and evidence of compliance with applicable playground standards and health and safety duties. The assessment should identify the activities taking place, the hazards present, where they are located, the likelihood of harm, the potential severity of injury, and the controls required. A baseline survey of the whole area, including equipment, access routes, surfacing, boundaries, and foreseeable misuse, is a practical starting point. [8] [2] [5]

  • Key hazards to assess in a children’s play area include falls from equipment, impact with moving equipment, entrapment or entanglement, sharp edges or protrusions, collapse or instability of structures, slips and trips on access routes, poor visibility, unsafe boundaries or uncontrolled access, weather-related hazards, manual handling during maintenance, and safeguarding risks involving children.
  • For each hazard, apply the hierarchy of controls: first eliminate the hazard where possible, then reduce risk through design, guarding, layout, surfacing, separation, signage, supervision, and administrative controls; use PPE for staff only where residual risks remain.
  • Use a risk-ranking method so that high-risk conditions are addressed immediately, medium risks are controlled as soon as possible, and low risks are monitored.

[3] [9] [12] For play equipment and layout, control measures should include age-appropriate zoning, adequate spacing between items, exclusion of hard obstacles from fall zones, elimination of crush and shear points, secure foundations, rounded edges, anti-entrapment design, and barriers where children could access roads, water, plant rooms, maintenance areas, or other external hazards. Access and circulation routes should be kept free from clutter, cables, uneven edges, and poor lighting because these conditions increase slip, trip, and fall risk. [12] [11]

Supervision requirements should be defined in writing. State whether the area is supervised, partially supervised, or unsupervised; the ages it is intended for; expected adult-to-child oversight; opening and closing checks; and escalation arrangements if unsafe behavior, damaged equipment, bullying, or safeguarding concerns are observed. Staff responsible for the area should be trained in hazard recognition, routine inspection, incident response, safeguarding, and how to isolate defective equipment. Where the play area is open to the public, signage should clearly state age suitability, supervision expectations, prohibited activities, emergency contact details, and reporting arrangements for defects. [6] [10]

Inspection and maintenance should be structured at three levels: frequent visual checks, periodic operational inspections, and independent annual inspections. Frequent checks should look for obvious hazards such as broken parts, vandalism, exposed foundations, litter, glass, standing water, damaged surfacing, and missing guards or fixings. Operational inspections should examine wear, stability, moving parts, fasteners, corrosion, timber decay, surfacing depth, and compliance of repairs. Annual inspections should review overall structural integrity, long-term wear, and continuing compliance with the relevant playground standards. Any defect presenting a serious injury risk should trigger immediate isolation or closure of the affected equipment until repaired. [6] [4] [2]

Fall protection in a children’s play area is primarily achieved by safe design rather than personal fall arrest systems. Control measures should include limiting free-fall heights appropriate to the user age group, providing compliant guardrails or barriers where needed, maintaining adequate impact-attenuating surfacing throughout the use zone, and removing hard objects from the fall area. During maintenance work by staff, conventional work-at-height controls may be required if there are unguarded surfaces above a lower level. [1] [1] [1]

Safe surfacing should be selected and maintained according to the critical fall height and the equipment manufacturer’s requirements. Suitable impact-attenuating surfacing may include engineered wood fiber, rubber systems, sand, or pea gravel where permitted by the applicable standard and accessibility requirements. The surfacing must extend across the required use zone, remain at the correct depth, drain properly, and be routinely checked for displacement, compaction, contamination, trip edges, and wear. Hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or exposed foundations should not be present within fall zones. [2] [12]

  • Emergency procedures should cover serious injury, head injury, suspected fracture, entrapment, missing child, fire, severe weather, violence or intrusion, and utility failure.
  • Provide a site plan, emergency contact numbers, staff roles, access arrangements for emergency services, first-aid provision, and a method for summoning help quickly.
  • Preserve the scene after a serious incident where appropriate, record witness details, isolate defective equipment, and begin incident investigation and corrective action.
  • Review the risk assessment and inspection regime after any accident, near miss, equipment change, or layout change.

[4] [6] Accident prevention depends on combining design, housekeeping, supervision, inspection, and user information. Keep routes and play spaces clean, dry, well lit, and free of debris and obstacles. Remove or repair damaged equipment promptly. Separate active play from quiet areas and from vehicle routes. Manage seasonal hazards such as ice, heat, and wet leaves. Use clear rules that discourage climbing on the outside of barriers, overcrowding, pushing, use of bicycles or scooters in pedestrian play zones unless specifically designed for them, and use of equipment outside the intended age range. [12] [11]

Safeguarding controls should include controlled access where appropriate, clear sightlines, avoidance of hidden spaces, staff vetting and safeguarding training where supervision is provided, procedures for responding to welfare concerns, anti-bullying expectations, toilet and changing arrangements that protect children, and robust lost-child and collection procedures. Any CCTV, photography, or data handling associated with the area should be governed by privacy and safeguarding rules. Maintenance contractors should be controlled through sign-in procedures, segregation from children, and permit arrangements for higher-risk work.

The safety documentation set should include: a certified hazard assessment; site layout and equipment register; manufacturer instructions; inspection schedules and records; maintenance and repair logs; defect reporting and closure records; cleaning and housekeeping checks; supervision arrangements; safeguarding procedures; first-aid and emergency plans; staff training records; accident and near-miss reports; and periodic management review. The hazard assessment record should clearly identify the workplace, assessor, date, and certification details, and it should be kept current whenever conditions change. [6] [7] [13]

For compliance, align the play area with the applicable local health and safety law and recognized playground standards in your jurisdiction. In practice, this usually means complying with general duties to assess risk, maintain premises and equipment in a safe condition, provide information and training, control contractors, record significant findings, and review controls. For playground-specific technical compliance, use the relevant standards for equipment, surfacing, inspection, and maintenance in your region, such as EN 1176/1177 in many jurisdictions or ASTM/CPSC guidance in the United States. Also ensure any staff PPE needs identified during maintenance or inspection work are formally assessed, documented, communicated, fitted, and enforced. [10] [10] [4]

  • Carry out and certify a site-specific hazard assessment before opening the play area.
  • Use a risk-based inspection and maintenance system with immediate isolation of serious defects.
  • Provide compliant impact-attenuating surfacing and maintain fall zones.
  • Define supervision, behavior rules, signage, and safeguarding arrangements.
  • Train staff in inspection, hazard recognition, first aid, incident response, and safeguarding.
  • Keep complete records and review them after incidents, changes, and at least annually.
  • Verify compliance with the playground equipment and surfacing standards that apply in your jurisdiction.

[5] [6] [4]

13 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment

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# What types of PPE may be necessary? Your hazard assessment should determine if your employees need any of the following types of PPE: - Eye and face protection ◆ Fall protection - Foot protection • Hand/general skin protection - Head protection • Hearing protection • Leg protection ● Personal floatation device • Respiratory protection • Torso/general body protection ## How to do a PPE hazard assessment ## Do a baseline survey to identify workplace hazards A baseline survey is a thorough evaluation of your entire workplace - including work processes, tasks, and equipment - that identifies safety and health hazards. A complete survey will tell you what the hazards are, where they are, and how severe a potential injury could be. ## Suggestions: Use safety data sheets (SDS) to identify chemical hazards. A safety data sheet has detailed information about a hazardous chemical's health effects, its physical and chemical characteristics, and safe handling practices. Review equipment owner and operator manuals to determine the manufacturer's safety warnings and recommended PPE. Conduct a job-hazard analysis (JHA) - a method of identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards associated with specific jobs. A JHA breaks down a job into tasks. You evaluate each task to determine if there is a safer way to do it. A job-hazard analysis works well for jobs with difficult-to-control hazards and jobs with histories of accidents or near misses. JHAS for complex jobs can take a considerable amount of time and expertise to develop. You may want to have a safety professional help you. Have an experienced safety professional survey your workplace with you. 4

[2] Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls

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# Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls (cont.) ## Trips (cont.) - poor lighting - clutter in your way - wrinkled carpeting - uncovered cables - bottom drawers not being closed - uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces ## How to prevent falls due to slips and trips? Both slips and trips result from unintended or unexpected change in the contact between the feet and the ground or walking surface. This fact shows that good housekeeping, quality of walking surfaces (flooring), selection of proper footwear, and appropriate pace of walking are critical for preventing fall incidents. ## Housekeeping Good housekeeping is the first and the most important (fundamental) level of preventing falls due to slips and trips. It includes: - cleaning all spills immediately - marking spills and wet areas - mopping or sweeping debris from floors removing obstacles from walkways and always keeping walkways free of clutter - securing (tacking, taping, etc.) mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat - always closing file cabinet or storage drawers - covering cables that cross walkways - keeping working areas and walkways well lit - replacing used light bulbs and faulty switches Without good housekeeping practices, any other preventive measures such as installation of sophisticated flooring, specialty footwear or training on techniques of walking and safe falling will never be fully effective. For more information about effective housekeeping, visit the OSH Answers document on Workplace Housekeeping - Basic Guide. Flooring Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls CCOHS

[3] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide

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# Option 2 <table><tr><th></th><th></th><th colspan="5">Job Hazard Analysis Matrix</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Severity of Injury</td><td colspan="5">Probability of an Accident Occurring</td></tr><tr><td>Level</td><td>Description</td><td>A Frequent</td><td>B Several Times</td><td>C Occasional</td><td>D Possible</td><td>E Extremely Improbable</td></tr><tr><td>I</td><td>Fatal or Permanent Disability</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td></td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>||</td><td>Severe Illness or Injury</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>2233</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>III</td><td>Minor Injury or illness</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2-3</td><td></td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>IV</td><td>No Injury or Illness</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td></td><td>3</td></tr></table> <table><tr><th colspan="3">Risk Priority</th></tr><tr><td>Code</td><td>Risk Level</td><td>Action Required</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>High</td><td>Work activities must be suspended immediately until hazard can be eliminated or controlled or reduced to a lower level.</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Medium</td><td>Job hazards are unacceptable and must be controlled by engineering, administrative, or personal protective equipment methods as soon as possible.</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Low</td><td>No real or significant hazard exists. Controls are not required but may increase the comfort level of employees.</td></tr></table> 3. Take action on the assessment. Depending on the assigned Risk Level/Code (or Risk priority), take the corresponding action according to the table above: • If Risk priority is LOW (3) for a task step → requires no further action. - Note: If you assign a risk code of 3, be sure that there isn't a WISHA standard that requires specific protection be provided. For example: WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] requires personal protective equipment when using compressed air for cleaning. - If Risk priority is MEDIUM (2) → select and implement appropriate controls. • If Risk priori

[4] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Hazard Assessment Tool

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OSHA Oregon OSHA PPE hazard assessment tool Department of Consumer and Business Services [redacted street address]. NE Salem, OR [redacted postal code] Phone: [redacted phone] •Toll-free: [redacted phone] • osha.oregon.gov Fill in this document to certify that you completed a hazard assessment of your workplace, and keep it on file. Oregon OSHA recommends regular hazard assessments to keep your workplace safe. Survey as often as necessary to identify changing safety and health hazards that require personal protective equipment (PPE). Workplace assessed: <empty> Name/position of the person certifying the assessment: <empty> Signature of the person certifying the assessment: <empty> Date: <empty> ## PPE required at this workplace includes (check all that apply): Fall protection: [ ] Torso protection: [ ] Eye and face protection: [ ] Head protection: [ ] Foot protection: [ ] Leg protection: [ ] Hand protection: [ ] Hearing protection: [ ] Respiratory protection: [ ] 440-5871 (07/23/COM)

[5] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide

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# Option 1 # Hazard Assessment For PPE Use with WAC [redacted identifier] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) This tool can help you do a hazard assessment to see if your employees need to use personal protective equipment (PPE) by identifying activities that may create hazards for your employees. The activities are grouped according to what part of the body might need PPE. You can make copies, modify and customize it to fit the specific needs of your particular work place, or develop your own form that is appropriate to your work environment. This tool can also serve as written certification that you have done a hazard assessment as required by WAC 296-800-[redacted postal code] Document your hazard assessment for PPE. Make sure that the blank fields at the beginning of the checklist (indicated by *) are filled out (see below, Instructions #4). ## Instructions: 1. Do a walk through survey of each work area and job/task. Read through the list of work activities in the first column, putting a check next to the activities performed in that work area or job. 2. Read through the list of hazards in the second column, putting a check next to the hazards to which employees may be exposed while performing the work activities or while present in the work area. (for e.g., work activity: chopping wood; work-related exposure: flying particles). 3. Decide how you are going to control the hazards. Try considering engineering, work place, and/or administrative controls to eliminate or reduce the hazards before resorting to using PPE. If the hazard cannot be eliminated without using PPE, indicate which type(s) of PPE will be required to protect your employee from the hazard. 4. Make sure that you complete the following fields on the form (indicated by *) to certify that a hazard assessment was done: *Name of your work place *Address of the work place where you are doing the hazard assessment *Name of person certifying that a workplace hazard assessment was done *Da

[6] Slips, Trips, and Falls - Module 1

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# Other Conditions Increasing the Risk of Slips And Trips - Conditions and situations that make it difficult to see potential hazards or that distract your attention can contribute toward a slip or trip. Can you see the worker on the stairs? - poor lighting ◉ glare ■ shadows • bulky or awkward personal protective equipment (PPE) . excessive noise, temperature Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 17

[7] Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment

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# What is a PPE hazard assessment? A personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment is an evaluation of your workplace that helps you determine what hazards your employees are exposed to and what PPE they need to protect themselves. A hazard assessment should include: - The jobs (or tasks) your employees do - The hazards your employees are exposed to • Where the hazards are located - The likelihood those hazards could injure your employees - The severity of a potential injury • The types of PPE necessary to protect your employees from those hazards ## Why should you do a PPE hazard assessment? There are three reasons: 1. A hazard assessment will help you find hazards at your workplace. 2. A hazard assessment will help you determine what personal protective equipment your employees need for protection. 3. Oregon OSHA's rules require you do one. 2

[8] Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment

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# What are Oregon OSHA's requirements for PPE hazard assessments? If you are a general industry, construction, or agricultural employer you must determine if your workplace has hazards you cannot eliminate or control without PPE. If there are such hazards, you must: • Select the PPE that protects your employees from the hazards • Communicate your selection decisions to each affected employee • Ensure the PPE fits each employee • Require your employees to use their PPE when they are exposed to the hazards General industry employers must also prepare a document that says they have done the hazard assessment. The document must include: • A heading that says the document is a "certification" of the hazard assessment • The name of the workplace evaluated • The name of the person certifying the hazard assessment was completed • The date of the hazard assessment ## Oregon OSHA's hazard assessment rules • General industry: [redacted phone](1), Hazard assessment and equipment selection. Appendix B to Subdivision 2/1 has guidelines for conducting a hazard assessment. • Construction: [redacted phone](1), Hazard assessment and equipment selection. Appendix B to Subdivision 2/1 has guidelines for conducting a hazard assessment. • Agriculture: [redacted phone](2), Hazard assessment and protective equipment selection. Appendix A to Subdivision 4/1 has a sample hazard assessment form. 3

[9] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide

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# Option 2 # Job Hazard Analysis Assessment for PPE Use with WAC [redacted identifier] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) approach to doing a hazard assessment for PPE is a more comprehensive method and may be more useful in larger businesses with many hazards and/or complex safety issues. It also helps you assign a Risk Priority Code to the hazard to determine the course of actions you need to take to control the hazard. Follow the instructions as you conduct your hazard assessment and fill in the hazard assessment form. You can make copies of the form or customize it to fit the needs of your work place. For more detailed explanations of the instructions and guidance on doing the hazard assessment, including completed sample forms, see the "Additional Guidelines on Conducting a JHA Hazard Assessment for PPE," pages 25-30). This tool can also serve as written certification that you have done a hazard assessment as required by WAC 296-800-[redacted postal code] Document your hazard assessment for PPE. Make sure that the blank fields at the bottom of the form (indicated by *) are filled out. *Name of your work place *Address of the work place where you are doing the hazard assessment *Name of person certifying that a workplace hazard assessment was done *Date the hazard assessment was done 24 21 21

[10] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide

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# SAMPLE PPE POLICIES # Procedures ## A. Hazard Assessment for PPE (Safety Person or designated person), in conjunction with Supervisors, will conduct a walk-through survey of each work area to identify sources of work hazards. Each survey will be documented using the Hazard Assessment Certification Form, which identifies the work area surveyed, the person conducting the survey, findings of potential hazards, and date of the survey. (Safety Person or designated person) will keep the forms in the (Specify exact location, e.g., your company's business files). (Safety Person or designated person) will conduct, review, and update the hazard assessment for PPE whenever • a job changes • new equipment or process is installed • there has been an accident - whenever a supervisor or employee requests it • or at least every year Any new PPE requirements that are developed will be added into (Name of your business)'s written accident prevention program. ## B. Selection of PPE Once the hazards of a workplace have been identified, (Safety Person or designated person) will determine if the hazards can first be eliminated or reduced by methods other than PPE, i.e., methods that do not rely on employee behavior, such as engineering controls (refer to Appendix B - Controlling Hazards). If such methods are not adequate or feasible, then (Safety Person or designated person) will determine the suitability of the PPE presently available; and as necessary, will select new or additional equipment which ensures a level of protection greater than the minimum required to protect our employees from the hazards (refer to Appendix C - Selection of PPE). Care will be taken to recognize the possibility of multiple and simultaneous exposure to a variety of hazards. Adequate protection against the highest level of each of the hazards will be recommended for purchase. All personal protective clothing and equipment will be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed an

[11] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Hazard Assessment Tool

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## PPE required at this workplace includes (check all that apply): (cont.) OSHA Oregon OSHA Department of Consumer and Business Services Hazard assessment worksheet: Fall protection Salem Central Office [redacted street address]. NE Salem, OR [redacted postal code] Phone: [redacted phone] Toll-free: [redacted phone] osha.oregon.gov Work task: Date ## Potential hazards No hazards requiring fall protection Unguarded surfaces more than 6 or 4 feet above a lower level or any height above dangerous equipment Other hazard: ## PPE required None required Personal fall arrest system Personal fall restraint system Other PPE: 440-5871 (07/23/COM)

[12] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guide

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# Option 2 A high risk priority means that there is a reasonable to high probability that an employee will be killed or permanently disabled doing this task step and/or a high probability that the employee will suffer severe illness or injury! 4. Select PPE: Try to reduce employee exposure by first implementing effective controls that do not primarily rely on individual employee behavior (such as using PPE). Follow the "Hierarchy of Controls" (p. 38). a. For each hazard you identified, ask the question: "Can we change the way this job is done to eliminate or reduce this hazard?" Ideas might include combining steps, changing the sequence, a different tool, a change in the workstation, ventilation etc. The employees who do this job may have some good practical ideas. b. If none of these will work, what personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed? If PPE is needed, it must be appropriately matched to the hazard to provide effective protection against the hazard. c. Write down your solution in the Control Method column opposite the hazard. If you still aren't satisfied that the hazard is under control, you may need to consider not doing this job or doing it less often. 5. Certify the hazard assessment: Make sure you sign and fill in the required information (indicated by *) at the bottom of the form for proper documentation of the hazard assessment. The following pages show two examples of completed JHA hazard assessments for PPE. 28

[13] Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment

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# Evaluate your employees' exposures to each hazard identified in the baseline survey (cont.) ## Document your hazard assessment For each job assessed, documentation must include the following information: - A heading saying the document is a "certification" of the hazard assessment • The name of the workplace evaluated - The name of the person certifying the hazard assessment was completed PPE hazard assessment certification Workplace evaluated: Person certifying the evaluation: Hazard assessment date: • The date of each hazard assessment Use the PPE hazard assessment and certification form on our website to conduct your own hazard assessment. Construction industry and agricultural employers do not have to document their hazard assessments, but must tell each exposed employee about their PPE selection decisions and meet other rule requirements. ## Do regular workplace inspections Regular inspections tell you whether you have eliminated or controlled existing hazards, and help you identify new hazards. Quarterly inspections by employees trained in hazard recognition are a good way to get the job done. Look for new hazards whenever you change equipment, materials, or work processes. Determine what hazards could result from the changes and how to control them. If your business works at multiple sites, you may need to do a hazard assessment at each site. 6

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