PLAYGROUND SAFETY STANDARDS UPGRADED
25 Oct 2017
A new series of expanded safety standards has had a large impact on every Australian playground and sparked discussions across the country. Is your playground compliant?
IS YOUR PLAYGROUND COMPLIANT WITH THE NEW STANDARDS?
Now that AS/NZS4486.1:1997 has given way to AS4685.0.2017, the sizeable impact the new standard will have on playground design, manufacture and maintenance is becoming clearer. AS4685.0 will require all industry stakeholders to ensure they are fully acquainted with the significant differences between the new and the outgoing standard.
The 20-year-old previous standard has been replaced with an updated and expanded version to ensure current practices are being met – particularly with reference to present standards, AS4685:2014, AS4422:2016 and Australian Structural practices.
The new standard includes a playground surfacing section, together with the addition of nature play and supervised early childhood services (SECS).
Risk assessment and risk-benefit have also been included. These elements have been added to assist manufacturers, suppliers and installers to ensure that playgrounds are not only fun to play in but they also fit into an overall risk assessment strategy.
Insurance, safety management systems, updated record keeping and accident procedures have also been included in the new standard to ensure accident reports meet the requirements of a Court of Law.
CCEP Consulting Coordination can ensure the success and compliance of your next playspace project. With over 30 years of experience, CCEP offers a variety of professional services, including engineering, inspection of safety features, certification of equipment, and training for landscape architects, playground inspectors, designers and installers.
CCEP has certified over 5200 projects, trained over 3800 inspectors and certified over 29800 products since its establishment in 1986.