BFLNov.08 19/11/08 12:41 pm Page 70
api comment
Balancing risk
and reward
Play safety standards have
THE UK PLAY Safety Forum’s 2002
just been through a full
‘Management of Risk Statement’
review, adopted and
summary
(1)
states: “Children need and want
to take risks when they play. Play provision
re-endorsed Europe-wide to
aims to respond to these needs and wishes
continue to strike a balance
by offering children stimulating, challenging
in providing risk that has environments for exploring and developing
developmental value.
their abilities. In doing this, play provision
aims to manage the level of risk so that
children are not exposed to unacceptable
risks of death or serious injury.”
Play Pathfinder
Underway now from Play England are
Playbuilder and Play Pathfinder
programmes and funding. The API
applauds this excellent news. All top-tier
local authorities in England will receive
around £1m to improve and develop their
free play areas for children aged 8 –13
years. In addition, 30 Pathfinder authorities
will receive an extra £1m to build a new
adventure playground or adventure play
park and to implement other elements of
the national play strategy
(2)
.
a71 World standards
Getting it done
The two main world standards for
API members are dedicated to providing
Playground safety are EN 1176 in
the best in good play space design,
For a copy of the current API Directory
UK/Europe and in the USA, ASTM F
installation and workmanship to offer risk,
of members, contact:
1487. Europe’s 1176 is a hazard
reward challenge and sheer fun in play.
Deborah Holt,
based standard, as opposed to ASTM,
Their experience, expertise and knowledge
Association of Play Industries,
which is more specification led.
ensure projects are delivered throughout
Federation House, Stoneleigh Park,
Therefore using EN 1176 gives
the year within the budget, specification
Warwickshire CV8 2RF.
designers a lot of freedom on the
and timeframes set by local authorities
(3)
.
T: +44 (0)24 7641 4999 ext 208
a73
controls they adapt. Within 1176 are F: +44 (0)24 7641 4990
(1) www.ncb.org.uk
many Risk: Benefits assessments.
(2) www.playengland.org.uk
E: api@api-play.org
(3) www.api-play.org W: www.api-play.org
70 building forleisure November 2008
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