Outdoor Playground Inspections

Kallie Lawlor BASc., CPHI (C)

Playground Inspections

Outdoor play is vital to strong physical, social, and cognitive development in children. To ensure that playgrounds are consistently a fun and healthy environment they need to be inspected by a trained operator.

Inspections should be conducted at least once a day before the playground is used. Sign and date the inspection in a log book, note any problems observed and the corrective action taken to fix the issue.  If you are ever unsure about an issue affecting the playground, restrict access to the area and contact a supervisor and/or your local health unit.

Hazards on the playground will differ depending on the season and location of the facility. This list may not be exhaustive to your daycare, but it can be a starting point to develop your own daily checklist:

• Perimeter fencing and gates in good repair
• Gate is secure and able to close
• No poisonous or dangerous plants (mushrooms, berries, poison ivy)
• Surface material is raked back into place (sand, wood shavings)
• No broken toys
• No protruding bolts, screws, or rusted parts
• No standing water
• Walkways and steps are free from snow and ice
• Area is free from litter, debris, broken glass, vandalism, and animal feces
• Equipment is stable and in good repair