Play Area and Playground Equipment

Play area construction involves installing safety surfacing, fixed equipment, fencing, and ancillary furniture.
Equipment foundations require precise excavation and concreting to achieve correct depth and alignment.
Safety surfacing such as wet-pour rubber or bonded rubber mulch requires careful preparation and installation.
Playground equipment is heavy; individual units can weigh several hundred kilograms and require crane lifting.
Working near schools, nurseries, and public parks means children may attempt to access the work area.
BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177 set safety standards for playground equipment and impact-absorbing surfacing.
Chemical components in wet-pour surfacing include polyurethane binders that require COSHH assessment.
Equipment must be installed to the manufacturer tolerances and independently inspected before public use.
Secure hoarding or fencing must prevent public access to the play area throughout the construction phase.
CDM 2015 applies to all playground construction and refurbishment projects regardless of size.

Child safety	Incomplete playground equipment and open excavations present immediate danger to children who access the site.
Installation quality	Incorrectly installed equipment or surfacing fails under use, causing serious injuries to children playing on it.
Legal compliance	BS EN 1176/1177 compliance is essential. Equipment failing post-installation inspection cannot be opened to the public.

Do

Don't

Erect secure hoarding to prevent children accessing the work area at all times.
Install equipment foundations to the exact depth and alignment specified.
Follow the manufacturer installation instructions for every piece of equipment.
Wear appropriate PPE including gloves and RPE when handling surfacing chemicals.
Arrange independent post-installation inspection before opening the play area.
Lift heavy equipment units using crane or mechanical aids with a lift plan.
Prepare the sub-base for safety surfacing to the levels specified in the design.
Brief the team on the risk of children attempting to enter the site.
Lock and secure the hoarding gates at the end of every working day.
Record foundation depths, surfacing thickness, and installation checks for handover.

DON'T leave the play area site accessible to children during construction.
DON'T allow children to use partially installed equipment under any circumstances.
DON'T deviate from the manufacturer installation tolerances for equipment or surfacing.
DON'T handle wet-pour binder chemicals without COSHH controls and appropriate PPE.
DON'T open the play area to the public before independent inspection is complete.
DON'T leave open excavations or protruding bolts unprotected on the play area site.
DON'T install safety surfacing on a sub-base that does not meet the design levels.
DON'T store tools and materials where children could reach them from outside the site.
DON'T assume fencing alone keeps children out; check security multiple times daily.
DON'T skip the post-installation impact test on safety surfacing areas.

See also: Landscaping Safety Awareness | Fencing and Gate Installation

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record