DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MONTHLY SELF INSPECTION CHECKLIST - Playgrounds
Version July 2008
Safety Inspection – Identifies issues that can cause harm - a proactive management strategy that identifies and
records circumstances and conditions (hazards) that may cause harm or create loss.
Australian Standards (AS4486.1 – 1997 section 8.3.1) states that this should be carried out every 1 to 3 months.
While this checklist has mostly been developed in line with AS4685 Parts 1 – 6 – 2004 and AS4486.1 – 1997 section 8.
3.1, it does not cover every point of the Australian Standards, and the Inspecting Officer may need to investigate further
for some clarity.
This checklist can be modified to suit the specific playground equipment at the school (i.e. irrelevant sections can be
removed); however care must be taken to ensure all relevant information is retained
The “Self Inspection Checklist – School” should be a pre-requisite to this checklist.
Workplace
Inspection officer
Date
X – Extreme – extremely urgent, action IMMEDIATELY
H – High Risk – urgent, action AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
M – Medium Risk – action within ONE WEEK.
L – Minor Risk – not urgent, action within ONE MONTH
Ok – No Risk – no action required
Risk Priority Rating:
Question
Item
Notes / Action
(in some cases may be n/a)
SCHOOL GROUNDS
AMENITIES
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3
4




Toilets kept clean? Adequate hand washing facilities?
Adequate drinking water/troughs facilities
Rubbish bins regularly emptied and cleaned
Emergency and first aid protocol in place
SURFACE AREAS




Adequate soft fall material under play equipment and
No
pitsforeign objects, encroaching grass
Sports/play surfaces even, no potholes, cracks,
Pathways
mounds maintained, slip free and adequately
FENCES AND GATES
drained
 In good condition
GARDEN MAINTENANCE




Dead or dangerous limbs removed
Limbs lopped to reasonable height to allow safe
access
around base for students
Plants assessed to determine hazardous species



Collision hazards clearly marked
Landscaping/mowing adequately maintained
Spraying conducted during school down time
For help in filling in this form contact your school safety delegate, or DET OHS Consultant, on 89014985.
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Risk
rating
Date
Risk
Removed
Question
Item
Notes / Action
(in some cases may be n/a)
Risk
rating
Date
Risk
Removed
PLAY EQUIPMENT
TIMBER, PLASTIC and FIBREGLASS MEMBERS

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6
7
8
9
10
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No weathered or cracked timber (pinching, trapping of
fingers)
 No protrusions (splinters, nails, bolts, screws)
 Handrails adequate with infill panels to prevent falls
 Free from insect/spider infestation
No evidence of wood rot
STEEL MEMBERS





Stable
Welds clean, no fractures or cracks
No Protrusions (rusty surfaces, slice hazards)
Chains not worn to the extent of posing a hazard
Mechanisms on swings, see saws and rotating
equipment in good condition
ROPES, NETS AND TYRES
 In good order, no evidence of fraying or rotting
 Clean with clear drain holes
 No exposed wires
 Connections secure and free from protrusions
 Free from insect/spider infestation
PLAYGROUND PIPES / TUNNELS
 Secure
 No obvious cracking and free from protrusions
Padding where required
GOAL POSTS AND STANDS
 Secure and pinned to ground where necessary
 Padding where required
 No loose items that may fall from backboard
POOL / SPA
 Area secured with adequate barrier and latches
 Area managed and maintained
STORAGE
items locked away when is not in use?
This checklist should be “signed off” and registered/filed.
Principal’s name
Signature
Date
Comments:……………….…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
For help in filling in this form contact your school safety delegate, or DET OHS Consultant, on 89014985.
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