The growing emphasis on safety, heavily linked with the 'compensation culture' has created unfounded concerns over playgrounds and safety. The trend in creating safe play environments has risen to the point that challenge and excitement are almost removed from children’s play.
Risk is the very incentive that makes play grounds attractive to children and young people, and that element is being lost. Young people are increasingly looking for risk and excitement elsewhere. Disabled children also have the same right as non disabled children to undertake risk, as it helps them learn required survival skills. Undertaking risk is an essential part of ANY child’s development. It is how they learn their boundaries. Risk is therefore an integral part of a well designed playground.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) states that whilst death or permanent injury is not acceptable, broken bones are an acceptable risk in a playground. The Play Safety Forum has produced a position statement which has the full backing of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Children need and want to take risks when they play. Play provision aims to respond to these needs and wishes by offering children stimulating, challenging environments for exploring and developing their abilities. In doing this, play provision aims to manage the level of risk so that children are not exposed to unacceptable risks of death or serious injury.
However, acknowledging this does not absolve any responsibility for children’s safety. All play facilities need to be safe and meet legislative requirements. Great Yarmouth Borough Council is responsible for ensuring that there are no unacceptable risks on any of their outdoor playgrounds.
European Standard BS EN 1176 / 1177
Current standards were introduced in January 1999 and are neither mandatory or retrospective; failure to comply does not mean that the equipment is either dangerous or requires immediate remedial action. Only equipment installed after January 1999 is required to meet the new standards, and this is the case with all equipment now installed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
Although these standards are not a legal requirement in the UK, they do represent good practice in the event of an accident claim. Their limitations should equally be recognised: mere compliance does not automatically create a safe playground or give immunity from legal proceedings.
Help US to help YOU by letting us know when things are not working
To report any damage or vandalism on children’s playgrounds or youth facilities:
Telephone: 01493 846846
Out of Hours: 01493 330369
Contact Information:
Officer: Environmental Strategy Officer
Telephone: 01493 846442
Fax: 01493 846365
E-mail: eld@great-yarmouth.gov.uk