5
GENERAL COMMERCIAL PLAYGROUND SAFET Y GUIDELINES
(Page 4 of 5)
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE:
Regularly inspect and maintain your playground equipment and its surrounding area to ensure the safety of the user. Proper
maintenance of Discovery Centers equipment includes using the accompanying
Playground Maintenance Checklist
found in
the back of this booklet to identify areas requiring repairs or replacement, and barricading the equipment to prevent use while
corrections are being made.
As the Owner/Operator of the equipment, you should establish and maintain detailed installation, inspection, maintenance,
and repair records for each public-use playground equipment area. Find out if your playground has a designated of
fi
cial who
periodically inspects the play equipment for preventative maintenance. This includes: replacing missing, broken or worn-out
components; securing hardware; checking for deterioration in the metal or plastic materials; maintaining the proper 12 inch
depth of surfacing material; and cleaning up debris.
Following are some regular maintenance areas of note:
• Check for and repair damage caused by wear or vandalism, a major factor in injury causing situations.
• Proper maintenance of Discovery Centers equipment requires regular tightening of all bolts, nuts, set screws and other
hardware.
• All equipment should be free of rust and repainted with an appropriate lead-free paint whenever necessary to deter rusting.
This should also be done for any chipped or peeling areas.
• Regular checking of all parts, casting, etc., should be made. If part is broken or worn it should
be replaced immediately.
• Check for loose spring castings and tighten.
• Check for missing or broken parts, rungs, or steps and repair as necessary.
• Replace worn or damaged strap seats or other swing seats.
• Check for worn chains and replace them as needed.
• Check to be sure there is free movement of swing hanger and other moving attached parts.
• Check the vertical distance between the underside of the occupied swing seat and the protective surface. It should measure
no less than 12 inches. Adjust swing seat height as necessary.
• Check for deformation of open “S” hooks, shackles, rings, links, etc. Check “S” hooks for excessive wear, making sure they are
properly closed; never reuse an “S” hook.
• Check for worn swing hangers and chain. When these areas are identi
fi
ed, replacements should be made.
- Continued next page
