Figure 5. Example of entrapment in an angle less than 55 degrees on a fort. 1 Handbook for Public Playground Safety • There should be no sharp edges on slides. Pay special attention to metal edges of slides along the sides and at the exit (see also §5.3.6.4). • If steel-belted radials are used as playground equipment, they should be closely examined regularly to ensure that there are no exposed steel belts/wires. • Conduct frequent inspections to help prevent injuries caused by splintered wood, sharp points, corners, or edges that may develop as a result of wear and tear on the equipment. 3.5 Suspended Hazards Children using a playground may be injured if they run into or trip over suspended components (such as cables, wires, ropes, or other flexible parts) connected from one piece of the playground equipment to another or hanging to the ground. These suspended components can become hazards when they are within 45 degrees of horizontal and are less than 7 feet above the protective surfacing. To avoid a suspended hazard, suspended components: • Should be located away from high traffic areas. • Should either be brightly colored or contrast with the surrounding equipment and surfacing. • Should not be able to be looped back on themselves or other ropes, cables, or chains to create a circle with a 5 inch or greater perimeter. • Should be fastened at both ends unless they are 7 inches or less long or attached to a swing seat. These recommendations do not apply to swings, climbing nets, or if the suspended component is more than 7 feet above the protective surfacing and is a minimum of one inch at its widest cross-section dimension. 3.6 Tripping Hazards Play areas should be free of tripping hazards (i.e., sudden change in elevations) to children who are using a playground. Two common causes of tripping are anchoring devices for playground equipment and containment walls for loose-fill surfacing materials. • All anchoring devices for playground equipment, such as concrete footings or horizontal bars at the bottom of flexible climbers, should be installed below ground level 3.3.2 Partially bound openings and angles Children can become entrapped by partially bound openings, such as those formed by two or more playground parts. • Angles formed by two accessible adjacent parts should be greater than 55 degrees unless the lowest leg is horizontal or below horizontal. • Use the partially-bound opening test in Appendix B to identify hazardous angles and other partially-bound openings. 3.4 Sharp Points, Corners, and Edges Sharp points, corners, or edges on any part of the playground or playground equipment may cut or puncture a child’s skin. Sharp edges can cause serious lacerations if protective measures are not taken. To avoid the risk of injury from sharp points, corners and edges: • Exposed open ends of all tubing not resting on the ground or otherwise covered should be covered by caps or plugs that cannot be removed without the use of tools. • Wood parts should be smooth and free from splinters. • All corners, metal and wood, should be rounded. • All metal edges should be rolled or have rounded capping.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTkzMzk=