Journal of Ergonomics

Given the importance of playing in shaping the personality of children, playgrounds should be designed to encourage their presence in these spaces [2]. Playgrounds are public places for the effective education of children, helping them to better understand social rules and control their emotions. Playgrounds play an important role in the development of children's communities and their physical skills. If these spaces are based on safety standards, they can contribute to the better social and physical development of children. While playgrounds are a major source of entertainment for children of all ages, their equipment is a major threat to users' health [1, 2]. Despite all the efforts to reduce injuries, approximately 7,000 children are injured in the United States annually who in result need hospital care [2]. Activities and equipment such as falling at 5.5%, climbing equipment at 32%, sliders at 29% and swings at 26% have been identified as the main cause of these injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety status of children's playground equipment in Hamadan’s parks according to the standards of the American Product Safety Commission.

 

The present study was a cross-sectional study carried out in spring 2019 in Hamadan. This research has been conducted by studying the existing international standards for children's playground equipment by observing, photographing and measuring the basic playground equipment including seasaw, swing and all kinds of slides (straight, spiral and combined). Finally, the safety status of the equipment under study was complied with the US Product Safety Commission standard.
The People's Park of Hamadan is one of the oldest child parks in the province, with more than 40 years old and about 15 hectares, located in the research intersection of Hamadan. On average during the overcrowded hours of the day (10:30 am till 12 pm and 5:30-8 pm), about 60 children play on the playground simultaneously. The playground area on the north side of the park is approximately 40 meters by 30 meters with total equipment including 3 double swings (6 swings in total), 5 sewsaws, 3 single sliders and 7 combined sliders (5 straight slider, 3 spiral sliders and 4 combined sliders) (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Schematic map of swing (top right), sliders (top left) and seasaw

The results showed that among the main playground equipment, the spiral slide has the highest ratio of 76.1% and the seesaws with 25% minimum compliance with the CPSC standard. Among the most commonly problems in this field the non-standard design of play equipment, incorrect assembly, installation and placement in use zones can be pointed (Tables 1-6).
 

Table 1. Comparison of the status of the standard seesaws with US Product Safety Commission standards

Table 2. Comparison of Platform Status of Three Straight, Spiral and Combined sliders with US Product Safety Commission Standards

* Many children suffer serious injuries and even death as a result of having their clothing slipped off and falling from a height.


Table 3. Comparing the Slippery slope with US Product Safety Commission standards

Table 4. Comparison of Slope Exit Point Situation of Three Types of Straight, Spiral and Combined sliders with US Product Safety Commission Standards

Table 5. Comparison of single-axis swing status in People's Park with American Safety Commission standards

Table 6. Percentage of People's Park Compliance with American Safety Commission Standards

Currently, numerous US and European standards for the safety of gaming equipment have been formulated in developed countries. The research conducted in this study was based on the comprehensiveness of American standards and the provision of safety guidelines for the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of equipment based on this standard. Of course, considering the anthropomorphic, racial, and especially behavioral differences of Iranian children, developing standards that are appropriate to the needs of Iranian children can provide a more accurate and comprehensive view of the subject.
This study showed that due to the undeniable role of the safety of playground equipment in the extent of the potential harm to children, they should be made more secure and in compliance with world standards and continuous control of existing safety equipment seems necessary.

The authors are grateful to all those who assisted in the writing of this article.

 

The authors declared no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article.