Audit vs. Inspection: Which is Right For You?
Understanding the difference between a playground audit and a playground inspection is crucial in establishing a standard of care.
Playground Audits
Audits are typically performed only ONCE in the life of a playground. They are intended to establish the baseline of the playground environments compliance with the Playground Standards for safety. If a playground has never been audited, it should be initiated as a starting point for that playgrounds Standard of Care.
The auditing process is complicated & time-consuming because the Audit compares the Entire Standard (ASTM & CPSC codes, standards & guidelines) to each piece of equipment. Every nook & cranny is inspected against each written standard. This process helps identify compliant & non-compliant conditions using probes, gauges & measuring devices. A Hazard Priority Rating is given to all non-compliant conditions based on the predictable results (possibility, probability & consequences). It establishes a repair or remove priority based on injury potential. It spells out all non-compliant conditions.
Then - the Owner can take that information and make decisions on how to approach all non-compliant conditions per their priority ranking & start making corrections (or removal) - that's when a Standard of Care has officially been developed.
Then....the playground should be Inspected & Maintained regularly:
Playground Inspections
Purpose is to maintain a Standard of Care for the playground (for Safety & Liability / Exposure purposes - the monthly, quarterly or annual cost is peanuts compared to a playground injury lawsuit...they start in the hundred thousands & can get into the millions - see the recent suit over a swing in Nevada - or the injured arm in New Jersey over a slide that was too steep...barely...
So there's High Frequency & Low Frequency inspections. We can & will do High Frequency inspections for you but they can really be done by homeowners or managers or landscapers (anyone who's at or near the playground regularly) and they look for broken glass, vandalism, damage, weeds, trip hazards, loose-fill surfacing being raked & level, no exposed footings or border spikes, standing water etc. and should be done "regularly" depending on playground use / action. Daily, weekly, monthly.....depends on frequency of use and condition of site.
What we're offering here is your Low Frequency Inspection (can be monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or while not as effective - annually). In a Low Frequency Inspection we look for all the same things you see in the High Frequency Inspection plus the major hazards or issues that tend to arise: Start by taking inventory of the existing equipment and get on, touch, shake, push, pull & survey each structure, we look for loose, rotten or broken footings / foundations, head entrapments, protrusion & entanglement hazards, laceration hazards, check all the moving parts for wear & tear, inspect the safety surfacing & border treatments. We perform preventative maintenance whenever possible & help produce work orders if not.
When you perform regular Low Frequency Inspections and actively work to maintain the equipment you've now not only established your Standard of Care - you've enacted a Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (which is required by the CPSC), putting you in Compliance with the Industry Standards (ASTM & CPSC) recognized federally & locally by the Dept. of Justice - so you're not only making great strides to keep your playground safe - but you're in compliance with the Industry Standard for Playground Safety. Regularly scheduled Inspections by Certified Playground Safety Inspectors are in the best interest of any & all Playground Owner's.