Safe playground surfaces are made of shock-absorbing materials like shredded rubber, sand, or fiberboard. Surfaces made from recycled rubber and PVC materials are also safe. Loose materials require frequent maintenance and replacement. Rubber mats, tiles, or poured-in-place surfaces are low maintenance but more expensive. Regular maintenance is important, and guidelines for playground safety are available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials.
The safest playground surfaces are usually made of shock-absorbing materials and are regularly inspected and maintained. Bulk fill materials such as shredded rubber, sand or fiberboard, or wood chips are among the safest. Surfaces made from recycled rubber and PVC materials, such as shredded tires, provide adequate cushioning and are also considered environmentally friendly.
Other playground surfaces that absorb shock and therefore classify as acceptable include rubber mats or fine or medium gravel of adequate depth. Materials not recommended include concrete, asphalt, grass, or dirt. The problem with grass or soil is that it becomes hard and compact over time.
Loose backfill materials should be kept deep enough and should not be installed on hard surfaces, such as asphalt or concrete. The depth varies according to the material and the height of the equipment. One benefit of a bulk fill is that it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
Most loose materials tend to compress over time, and it’s not easy to spot hazardous materials, such as glass or nails, in them. They require frequent maintenance and replacement, except in the case of recycled rubber mulch. Gravel and sand are also acceptable as bulk fill.
Sand does not decompose and generally does not get mouldy, but it is messy and is affected by humidity and rain. Pea gravel does not attract animals or insects, but it is difficult to walk on and is also affected by the weather. It can itself cause a fall hazard when moved to another surface.
Other options in playground surfaces include rubber mats, rubber tiles, or poured-in-place surfaces. While more expensive than bulk fill surfaces initially, they are low maintenance. These surfaces are suitable for wheelchairs and do not attract mould, mildew, animals or insects. They also don’t need containment, so moving around isn’t a problem.
Surface maintenance is extremely important. It’s imperative that gardeners check which sections of a mat have been pulled up, because a hard surface underneath could be exposed. If bark or other loose material spreads out of the area under the equipment, the concrete bases of the equipment could cause further injury. Surfaces should be cleaned regularly of any foreign bodies, such as broken glass or other sharp objects.
In the United States, both the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials publish guidelines for playground safety, including information about playground surfaces. Home playgrounds also need a suitable surface. The most common playground injuries include fractures of the arm or hands and cuts or bumps to the head and face.
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