The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) estimates that about 100,000 playground
equipment-related injuries resulting from falls to the
ground surface are treated annually in the U.S.
hospital emergency rooms. Injuries involving this
hazard pattern tend to be among the most serious of
all playground injuries, and have the potential to be
fatal, particularly when the injury is to the head.
The surface under and around playground equip-
ment can be a major factor in determining the injury-
causing potential of a fall. It is self evident that a fall
onto a shock absorbing surface is less likely to
cause a serious injury than a fall onto a hard sur-
face. Playground equipment should never be placed
on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt and
while grass may appear to be acceptable it may
quickly turn to hard packed earth in areas of high
traffic. Shredded bark mulch, wood chips, fine sand
or fine gravel are considered to be acceptable shock
absorbing surfaces when installed and maintained at
a sufficient depth under and around playground
equipment.
The following table lists the maximum height from
which a child would not be expected to sustain a life-
threatening head injury in a fall onto four different
loose-fill surfacing materials if they are installed and
maintained at depths of 6", 9", and 12". However, it
should be recognized that all injuries due to falls
cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing mate-
rial is used.
It is recommended that a shock absorbing material
should extend a minimum of 6' in all directions from
the perimeter of stationary equipment such as climb-
ers and slides. However, because children may
deliberately jump from a moving swing, the shock
absorbing material should extend in the front and
rear of a swing a minimum distance of 2 times the
height of the pivot point measured from a point
directly beneath the pivot point supporting structure.
This information is intended to assist in comparing
the relative shock-absorbing properties of various
materials. No particular material is recommended
over another. However, each material is only effec-
tive when properly maintained. Materials should be
checked periodically and replenished to maintain
correct depth as determined necessary for your
equipment. The choice of a material depends on the
type and height of the playground equipment, the
availability of the material in your area, and its cost.
FALL HEIGHT IN FEET FROM WHICH A LIFE THREATENING HEAD INJURY WOULD NOT BE EXPECTED
1
This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications “Playground Surfacing—Technical Information Guide” and
“Handbook for Public Playground Safety.” Copies of these reports can be obtained by sending a postcard to the Office of Public
Affairs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207. Or call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772.
Consumer Information Sheet for
Playground Surfacing Materials
1
TYPE
OF
MATERIAL
6"
DEPTH
9"
DEPTH
12"
DEPTH
Double Shredded Bark Mulch
6'
10'
11'
Wood Chips
6'
7'
12'
Fine Sand
5'
5'
9'
Fine Gravel
6'
7'
10'
11
