16 November 2004 - RoSPA Award Scheme for Safest Play Areas
As one of the world's leading health and safety organisations, RoSPA are prompting invites world wide from organisations and local authorities both large and small to take part in their two-tiered scheme which consists of the following:
- The Play Operator Awards, aimed at local authorities and organisations providing safer play areas including provision for disabled people and judged by a gold, silver and bronze grading.
- Play Quality Site Awards, which will consist of a five star rating, recognising excellence for play, value and again provision for disabled people.
RoSPA's Play Safety Manager, Mr. David Yearley commented:
“Many of those accidents are unavoidable because of the way children play. Children need some risk in their play to help them to learn and to develop. But everything possible should still be done to ensure play areas are well managed and that equipment is safe to use. For instance, about 15% of all falls are due to children tripping over small projections and unevenness in surfacing, which is inexpensive to remedy.
We hope our new awards scheme will challenge local authorities, businesses and organisations with responsibility for playgrounds and indoor play areas to try even harder to prevent accidents.One of the best ways to promote safety and encourage good management practice is to reward those who head the field and lead by example. These awards will allow authorities and organisations to prove to themselves and others that they take young people’s safety seriously.”
RoSPA's award scheme can be accessed by clicking the following: RoSPA : Play Quality Awards
Article by Alexandra Johnston
