Public playgrounds are very popular. They are places where children can have a great time and make new friends.

However, it must be remembered that fun must go hand in hand with safety, especially in places where many other people have access. Care of a public playground facility is primarily the responsibility of the owner or manager. He or she should ensure that a post-assembly inspection is carried out immediately after the acceptance of the playground. Its main purpose is to detect all irregularities in the construction and additional equipment, as well as in the documents provided. This is very important, as sometimes warranty cards or manuals, which are extremely important for later operations, are mistaken.

Of course, the owner’s work does not end there. The next step is to place an information board and rules and regulations on the site. These must include a list of emergency phones, contact to the manager, rules for the use of individual equipment and behavior on the site. The rules and regulations can be freely adjusted, such as the location, extremely high usage or the risk of frequent vandalism. If you can’t find these elements, consider whether it’s worth spending time with your child in such a place.

Inspections and maintenance work

The manager is required to establish an inspection log and appoint employees to carry out such supervision. They should be competent and properly trained. All repairs and condition assessments of the facility must be documented. According to EN 1176-1 and 7, three types of playground inspections should be performed:

• Routine inspection – a minimum of once a week. This is known as a visual inspection, which involves checking the cleanliness of the entire area, the condition of the pavement, the completeness and wear of equipment, and visible major damage.
• Functional inspection – every 1-3 months or as recommended by the manufacturer. The most important point of these activities is a detailed assessment of the stability, functionality and wear of all equipment. Such an inspection should be commissioned to an experienced person who will be able to accurately assess defects.
• Basic inspection – at least once a year, performed by authorized persons with knowledge of the relevant regulations. This is a very thorough inspection of all elements, structures, terrain and pavement. It focuses on checking safety ratings and changes caused by weather conditions such as corrosion or cracking and rotting in the case of wooden playgrounds.

Any abnormalities must be immediately reported to the manager, and elements that threaten safety must be properly secured and taken out of service. Regular maintenance of the equipment, as well as the construction of the square, such as by impregnation or application of corrosion inhibitors, is recommended.

Users too can, and should, take care of public playgrounds. If you notice anything disturbing, contact the owner right away. Follow the rules and regulations in force, and the playground will serve your children and their friends for a long time to come.