Excellent Safety Controls – Well Sort Of?
Currently staying in holiday resort and went for a bit of a wander…… I noticed a children’s playground and was at first impressed that it contained the original high risk/high fun play equipment we grew up with and somehow survived, including an old tractor to climb on!
Couldn’t help myself, put my “Fun Police” hat on and went and inspected the equipment. Quickly discovered that the sheet metal slide on the slippery dip had separated from the hand rail and created a gap big enough for a finger to get caught in and torn off! Been that way for a while by the looks.
Soooo… I promptly reported the hazard to reception who were very concerned and amenable to my suggestions! Within the hour they had placed a “Caution – Do Not Use” sign on the slippery dip. They contacted me and explained that they would have welded it straight away but had to wait for the total fire ban to be lifted.
Very impressive response!!! But, it should not have taken me to report the hazard or worse still to become aware of it due to a child being seriously injured.
I am all for play equipment that has a little inherent risk but obvious hazards like this are not acceptable. Children’s playgrounds should be inspected thoroughly and regularly. The regularity being determined by the age, type and frequency of use of the equipment.
Perhaps next time you are with your kids at a playground do a quick hazard inspection – be subtle and cool about it but – nobody appreciates weirdos lurking in kids playgrounds!
More info on playground safety and a generic checklist here: https://safetyrisk.net/playground-safety-for-hotels-and-apartments/
Do you have any thoughts? Please share them below