Direct Answer
Inspection is both a compliance discipline and a culture of care. Frequency is guided by Australian Standards, adapted to your setting, and grounded in active supervision. Three levels of inspection create a comprehensive safety framework.
The Three Levels of Playground Inspection
1. Routine Visual Inspections
These are "look, listen, and play" checks—simple, intentional engagement to spot immediate issues before children use the space.
What to Check:
- Loose equipment: Bolts, fixings, or components that have shifted
- Obstructed fall zones: Items, toys, or debris in impact areas
- Biohazards: Possum or bird droppings, insects, spider webs
- Obvious damage: Broken parts, sharp edges, vandalism
- Surfacing condition: Mulch displacement, waterlogging, compaction
In early childhood settings, daily safety checks are non-negotiable. They protect children and empower educators to steward play environments confidently.
2. Operational Inspections
More detailed inspections focusing on wear, deterioration, and mechanical function over time.
What to Check:
- Fastenings: Tighten loose bolts, replace missing fixings
- Surfacing wear: Depth measurement for loose-fill, rubber condition
- Moving parts: Swings, spinners, gates—check for smooth operation
- Entrapment risks: Gaps that may have developed
- Edging: Borders containing surfacing, trip hazards
- Structural deterioration: Rot, rust, UV damage, material fatigue
3. Comprehensive Annual Inspection
Conducted by a qualified playground inspector. This is a full compliance check against Australian Standards.
What's Included:
- Full compliance review: Against AS 4685 and AS 4422
- Surfacing performance: Impact attenuation testing where required
- Structural safety: Load testing, stability assessment
- Documentation review: Equipment records, previous repairs
- Certification: Independent verification for ongoing compliance
Beyond the Baseline: Impact Attenuation Testing
Surfaces can deteriorate—particularly loose-fill materials compacting or shifting. Additional testing ensures ongoing protection:
- At installation: Testing softfall performance (with kinetic reader) ensures installation quality and verifies head injury criteria
- After major work: Re-testing when significant adjustments, replenishments, or replacements occur
- Periodic verification: Especially for high-use areas where compaction is common
Early Childhood vs Public Playgrounds
| Aspect | Early Childhood | Public Playground |
|---|---|---|
| Routine inspection | Daily (before children arrive) | Weekly or as scheduled |
| Supervision level | Active, continuous | Passive or none |
| Documentation | NQF requirements, signed logs | Council/owner requirements |
| Response time | Immediate isolation if unsafe | Scheduled maintenance |
Why This Matters
- Routine checks catch small issues before they become injuries
- Operational inspections ensure safety under real-world use and weathering
- Annual inspections verify compliance and protect against liability
- Documentation demonstrates duty of care to regulators and families
- Proactive inspection culture empowers educators to steward play confidently
The best approach is proactive, not reactive—inspect, test, and adjust before children are exposed to avoidable harm.
Key Takeaways
- Three inspection levels: routine (daily/weekly), operational (monthly/quarterly), annual
- Daily visual checks are non-negotiable in childcare settings
- Qualified inspectors should conduct annual comprehensive reviews
- Impact attenuation testing verifies surfacing performance
- Documentation is critical for duty of care and compliance
- Proactive inspection catches issues before they cause injuries
Need Help with Playground Safety?
Whether you need guidance on inspection schedules, help understanding compliance requirements, or a partner for your playground project, we're here to help. Book a free discovery call to discuss your needs.
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