Creating safer playgrounds
IHSS Playground Safety forms part of the IHSS Group that offers services in various sectors and ecosystems.
Our team
Carrie-Ann Jubber
Daryl Fraser
Dale Hartog
About us
IHSS Playground Safety is an independent inspection consultancy that assists clients with adhering to the South African (SABS) standards and Occupational Health & Safety Act concerning play park and playground safety.
These standards adopted as well as adhering to the South African (SABS) standards that is written in law makes the South African institute for playpark safety an indispensable asset to safety in the play parks, playground, Fun Fair and carnival environments.
Introduction
Playgrounds and playground equipment provide for children’s amusement and physical development. In general, the impact of play areas on children’s play and physical training has been mainly a positive one. Play is how children learn about objects and social relations and it is the medium for the infant / child to be able to make sense of the world (Juan Piaget – cognitive development). The quality of play is affected by the environment in which children play and it is for this reason that safe playgrounds must be designed and maintained. It must be recognised that children, and caregivers would naturally trust that playgrounds are safe and ready for use. For this reason, the responsibility to ensure that no harm befalls users, resides with the playground equipment manufacturers and playground owner.
South Africa adopted EN playground standards in 2010. These standards were approved by the National Committee SABS TC 1090, Safety of playgrounds and playground equipment in accordance with procedures of the South African National Standards (SANS) division in compliance with annexure 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.
Legislation Refences
Section 24 of the South African Bill of Rights decrees that everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing.
Section 10 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 85 of 1993, as amended further places an onus on manufacturers and others stating that: “Any person who erects or installs any article for use at work or on any premises shall ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, that nothing about the manner in which it is erected or installed makes it unsafe or creates a risk to health when properly used”
Section 44 of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 85 of 1993 likewise states that: “The Minister may by notice in the Gazette incorporate in the regulations any health & safety standard or part thereof”. Notice 943 of 2013 was gazetted by the Department of Health meaning that the playground equipment standards were now incorporated into the Act.
- SANS 51177:2010 – Impact attenuation surfacing: Determination of critical fall height
- SANS 51176-1:2022 – General safety requirements and test methods
- SANS 51176-2:2022 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings
- SANS 51176-3:2022 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for slides
- SANS 51176-4:2022 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for cableways
- SANS 51176-5:2022 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for carousels
- SANS 51176-6:2022 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for rocking equipment.
- SANS 51176-7:2022 – Guidance on installation, inspection, maintenance, and operation
- SANS 51176-10:2010 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for fully enclosed play equipment
- SANS 51176-11:2017 – Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for spatial network.
- ARP 037:2017 – Safety of playgrounds – Playground supervision
- SANS 54960:2010/EN 14960:2006 – Inflatable play equipment
- ARP 0150:2016/ISO/IEC Guide 50:2014 – Safety aspects – Guidelines for child safety in standards and other specifications.
Training
IHSS is able to conduct classroom, online and live stream training for the following training:
Playground Supervisor Training
IHSS Playground Supervisor Training is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.
Playground Maintenance Training
We offer training which equips persons with the tools and knowledge to identify maintenance requirements on playgrounds. Nearly 60 percent of all injuries that result in litigation list lack of maintenance as the primary cause of injury. In addition to injury prevention, good maintenance can also extend the lifespan of equipment and protect a school risk.
Playground Safety Workshops
We develop and conduct client specific workshops to increase the awareness and knowledge around safe practices and requirements for playgrounds.
Let us come in and assess your training needs and build a package that’s just right for you.
Playground Supervisor Training
IHSS Playground Supervisor Training is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.
Course outline:
- Importance of Play and Supervision
- The Injury Problem
- Potential Environment and Playground Equipment Hazards
- Setting Playground Rules
- Identification and Management of Emergencies
- Inspection Methods and Methodology
- Accident Investigations
- 60 Min Assessment
Prerequisites:
Read, write, & understand English
Duration: ½ day
Cost:
R950.00 Per Person
Training options:
- Classroom
- Live stream
- Online
Playground Maintenance Training
We offer training which equips persons with the tools and knowledge to identify maintenance requirements on playgrounds. Nearly 60 percent of all injuries that result in litigation list lack of maintenance as the primary cause of injury. In addition to injury prevention, good maintenance can also extend the lifespan of equipment and protect a school risk.
Course outline:
- Importance of Play
- Importance of Maintenance in Making Playgrounds Safe
- The Injury Problem
- Identifying Potential Hazards
- Maintenance Mistakes
- Inspection Approach
- Incident Investigations
- 60 Min Assessment
Prerequisites:
Read, write, & understand English
Duration: ½ day
Cost:
R950.00 Per Person
Training options:
- Classroom
- Live stream
- Online
Playground Safety Workshops
We develop and conduct client specific workshops to increase the awareness and knowledge around safe practices and requirements for playgrounds.
Below are the training workshops we provide but are not limited to:
- Hazard Identification
- Liability workshops – Right to know workshop.
- Tailormade safety training for restaurants, gyms and properties who have staff watching over children.
- Safety awareness
Contact us to assess and develop a tailormade workshop for your work environment
