Outdoor Playground Equipment Check

Playground equipment inspections are critical for preventing the approximately 200,000 playground injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms annually. This checklist addresses ASTM F1487 playground equipment safety standards and CPSC Publication 325 guidelines for systematic inspection of public playground equipment.

Industry: Sports and Recreation
Frequency: Daily
Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
Role: Parks Maintenance Staff / Playground Inspector
Total Items: 31

Structural Integrity and Hardware

Inspect structural components and hardware for safety.

All structural components free of cracks, breaks, or splitting?
Metal components free of excessive rust, corrosion, or pitting?
All visible bolts and hardware tightened with no missing components?
Ground anchors and post foundations secure with no movement?
Wooden components free of splinters, sharp edges, or decay?
Plastic components free of cracks, UV degradation, or brittleness?
No vandalism damage or intentional damage present?

Entrapment and Entanglement Hazards

Check for head, neck, and body entrapment openings.

All openings either smaller than 3.5 inches or larger than 9 inches (no head entrapment)?
No V-shaped or angled openings that could trap a child's neck?
No hooks, protrusions, or openings that could catch clothing or drawstrings?
No openings likely to trap fingers?
No openings likely to trap foot or ankle?
Guardrail and barrier openings appropriate for age group?

Fall Zone and Impact Surfacing

Verify protective surfacing meets ASTM and CPSC requirements.

Adequate protective surfacing present under and around all equipment?
Surfacing depth adequate for equipment heights?
If loose-fill surfacing (wood chips, sand), depth maintained throughout?
No hard surfaces (concrete, asphalt) within fall zones?
Surfacing free of glass, debris, animal waste, or contaminants?
Surfacing retention borders intact and keeping material in fall zone?

Age Appropriateness and Accessibility

Verify equipment is appropriate for intended user age groups.

Age-appropriate use signs posted at playground entrance?
Toddler equipment separated from school-age equipment?
ADA-accessible route from parking/path to playground entry?
Accessible play components present for children with disabilities?
Clear sight lines throughout playground for adult supervision?
Shade available to prevent excessive heat on equipment surfaces?

General Safety and Site Conditions

Overall playground site safety and environmental hazards.

Access pathways free of trip hazards, tree roots, or raised surfaces?
No standing water creating slip hazards in play area?
No evidence of animal activity (waste, nesting) in or around play area?
Perimeter fencing intact and gates functioning correctly?
If evening use, lighting adequate throughout playground area?
Inspection log updated with findings and actions taken?

Related Sports Recreation Checklists

Related Playground Checklists

Why Use This Outdoor Playground Equipment Check?

This outdoor playground equipment check helps sports and recreation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for parks maintenance staff / playground inspector professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Outdoor Playground Equipment Check cover?

This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 5 sections: Structural Integrity and Hardware, Entrapment and Entanglement Hazards, Fall Zone and Impact Surfacing, Age Appropriateness and Accessibility, General Safety and Site Conditions. It is designed for sports and recreation operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily. Each completion takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

Who should use this Outdoor Playground Equipment Check?

This checklist is designed for Parks Maintenance Staff / Playground Inspector professionals in the sports and recreation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.