6.2.1.8: Material Defects and Edges on Play Equipment

All pieces of play equipment should be free of sharp edges, protruding parts, weaknesses, and flaws in material construction. Sharp edges in wood, metal, or concrete should be rounded on all edges. All corners and edges on rigid materials should have a minimum radius of one-quarter inch unless the material thickness is less than one-half inch, in which case the radius should be half the thickness of the material. This requirement does not apply to swing seats, straps, ropes, chains, connectors, and other flexible components. Wood materials should be free of chromated copper arsenate (CCA), sanded smooth, and should be inspected regularly for splintering.

RATIONALE

Any sharp or protruding surface presents a potential for lacerations and contusions to the child’s body (1-4).

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

5.2.9.12 Treatment of CCA Pressure-Treated Wood

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 2008. Public playground safety handbook. Bethesda, MD: CPSC. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf.
2. ASTM International (ASTM). 2008. Standard consumer safety performance specification for public use play equipment for children 6 months through 23 months. ASTM F2373-08. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
3. ASTM International (ASTM). 2007. Standard consumer safety performance specification for playground equipment for public use. ASTM F1487-07ae1. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
4. Fiene, R. 2002. 13 indicators of quality child care: Research update. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. http://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/13-indicators-quality-child-care.