In response, operators have fixed identified risks associated with 372 of these notices, which have since been closed.

Only 13 statutory notices remain outstanding – 11 Improvement Notices and two Prohibition Notices.  SafeWork SA is working with the operators to reach compliance with the notices.

Over eight months SafeWork SA inspectors audited 85 playgrounds at private and public schools and childcare centres across Adelaide and regional South Australia.

A total of 385 notices were issued with the audit finding:

• 155 failures to maintain playgrounds.
• 126 risks of injury to children, such as entrapment, slips/trips and falls, sharp edges, protrusions and inadequate loose fill.
• 39 failures to manage identified hazards and risks.
• 34 failures to identify hazards and risks.
• 31 failures to train staff in playground inspections.

Of the 385 notices issued, 363 were Improvement Notices directing the school or childcare centre to fix an identified risk. A further 22 Prohibition Notices were also issued, effectively stopping the use of some equipment until the issues were fixed.

The compliance campaign was conducted between July 2023 and February 2024, with the final report released today.

Thirty-four audits were conducted in metropolitan Adelaide and 51 were conducted in regional centres.

A total of 43 public schools and 18 private schools were audited along with seven private and 17 public childcare centres.

Anyone who is responsible for a playground must assess them to ensure:

• equipment is installed according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• inspection regimes are implemented and conducted by a competent person.
• a risk assessment is conducted, including prior to purchasing equipment.
• fall impact protection is adequate such as loose fill is at the appropriate depth.
• play equipment does not have unnecessary protrusions such as screws or bolts.

More information is available at www.safework.sa.gov.au(external site)

Attribute quotes to SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell:

We have investigated some serious injuries that have occurred on playground equipment over the past few years, and this campaign has highlighted that improvements are required to meet health and safety standards.

Playgrounds create a great environment for children to develop and grow, however, the fun is taken out of the activity when a child is seriously injured as a result of a foreseeable risk not properly managed.

Measures need to include the appropriate selection of play equipment for the age of the children, appropriate placement, adequate and regular inspection and maintenance by competent people.

Those responsible for playgrounds are encouraged to conduct regular inspections of the equipment to identify existing or new hazards and ensure they are appropriately managed and maintained.

I’m pleased that the operators have resolved the majority of the issues identified in the audit and have made playgrounds safe for children.