Nationally nearly 70% of playground related injuries are from falls. To cushion the fall, ground cover is not only essential, but required. Each state has different standards, however referring to the Consumer Product Safety Commission is a safe bet for many child care operators. CPSC specifies the following surfaces for playgrounds for children. These soft "resilient" surfaces should be placed under and around play equipment. Choices are:
*Wood mulch
*Double shredded bark mulch
*Sand (both fine and coarse)
*Pea gravel (only in areas for children 3 years and older)
*Manufactured synthetic surfaces that meet the ASTM 1292 standard
These surfaces must be spread according to the critical height of the equipment and the fall zone around the equipment. Critical height is the maximum height a child may climb, sit, or stand on the play equipment. A fall zone is the area around the equipment where children jump and play. Fall zones should be 6 feet for stationary equipment with a few exceptions. Special fall zones are measured differently for "to-fro" swings, tot swings, and tire swings. The depth these surfaces are spread varies according to the surface type you have selected.
| Critical Height | Wood Mulch | Double Shredded Mulch | Uniform Wood Chips | Fine Sand | Course Sand | Pea Gravel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft or less | 6" | 6" | 6" | 6" | 6" | 6" |
| Over 5 ft, less than 7 ft | 6" | 6" | 6" | 12" | 12" | 6" |
| Over 7 ft, less than or equal to 10 ft | 9" | 9" | 9" | 12" | 12" | 9" |
To order copies of the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety Publication #325, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission's toll free hotline at 1-800-638-2772, fax your request to 301-504-0281