Falls from playground equipment are the most common cause of childhood injuries and a significant cause of trauma amongst children 0-14 years of age. Approximately 18,000 children are taken to hospital each year in NSW for playground related injuries, of which 3,000 are serious enough to be hospitalised (NSW Health Department, 1993).

   Playground injuries account for 16% of paediatric admissions to hospitals in NSW (NSW Health Department, 1993). They are the most common cause of admission to hospital for children in the 5-9 year age group, ranking higher than injuries associated with organised sport and recreation, pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle accidents (Chalmers, Marshall, et al, 1996).

   The major contributing factors to playground injury are falls onto hard surfaces such as earth, bitumen, concrete and certain types of sand. Another factor is the excessive height of playground equipment. Analysis of NSW data shows that 28% of injuries resulted from falls greater than one metre (NSW Health Department 1993).

   Figures from the NSW Health Department (1993) indicate that school playgrounds (39%) have the highest number of falls from playground equipment, followed by community playgrounds (27%). The NSW Health target for injury prevention for the year 2000 is "to reduce the hospital admission rates of children aged 5-9 with fractures resulting from falls from playground equipment by 10%" (NSW Health Department 1995).

   It is estimated that the cost for falls injury from playground equipment is approximately 11 million dollars per year. It is important to minimise the risk and exposure by ensuring that soft fall surfaces meet the Australian Standards (along with appropriate height of playground equipment).

PREVENTION STRATEGIES:

   (The following information is taken from the Evaluation of the Play Safely Project in Primary Schools in Northern Sydney Area Health Service. Ryde Health Promotion Unit, Northern Sydney Area Health Service, March 1998, D. Withaneachi)

Impact Absorbing Materials

   Impact absorbing material should be provided under play equipment with fall heights over 500mm above ground level. Examples of appropriate impact absorbing materials are pine, mulch, bark mulch, wet pour rubber and high-density foam.

Safe fall zone area

   Each piece of equipment should have a 2.5m area of impact absorbing material from the perimeter of the equipment to the border, path, fence or tree.

Height

   The maximum fall height of equipment should not exceed 2.5m.

Head entrapment

   All accessible spaces over 600mm above ground level should be free of head entrapment. Fully enclosed spaces should be less than 125mm and more than 230mm in diameter to avoid a head entrapment.

Handrails

   Handrails should be provided over platforms and bridges over 500mm high. Handrails should be a minimum of 19mm and a maximum of 38mm in diameter.

Guardrails

   Guardrails should be provided over platforms over 1 metre high. All guard railing should be vertical or have solid infill.

Grab rails

   The diameter of a grab rail should be a minimum of 19mm and a maximum of 38mm. Grab rails should be provided on all entry and exit points.

All playground equipment should comply with the current Australian and New Zealand Standards. The following are Australian Standards references.

Australian Standards 1924, Part 1, Playground Equipment for Parks, Schools and Domestic Use. Part 1. General Requirements, 1981. Australia: Standards Association of Australia 1981.

Australian Standards 1924, Part 2, Playground Equipment for Parks, Schools and Domestic Use. Part 2. Design and Construction; safety Aspects 1981. Australia: Standards Association of Australia 1981.

NSW Department of School Education. Safety Guidelines for the installation and maintenance of fixed playground equipment in school. Administration Directorate. 1995: NSW.

AS/NZS 4422 Playground Surfacing - specifications, requirements and test methods 1996. Standards Australia/New Zealand.

AS/NZS 4486 Playground and playground equipment. Part 1: Development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation. 1997 Standards Australia/New Zealand.

Kidsafe NSW have conducted an extensive study on playground injuries and are in the process of establishing a NSW Playground Advisory Unit. Further information can be obtained by telephoning 61-02-9845 0890.

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