Play Equipment – Checks/Maintenance/CleaningStandard Operating Procedure

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

SOP reference number 014

SOP title Play Equipment – Checks/Maintenance/Cleaning

Scope and limitations Outdoor play equipment.

Shade structures.

Toys with a spring and swing sets.

School playground equipment.

Soft fall surfacing.

Please note: pre-school sites, annual play ground maintenance and checks for sites are centrally administered by School Capital Works (SCW) repairs and maintenance section. For further information please contact Lee Barker: (02) 6205 9127.

Mandatory licences, permits or qualifications:

Kidsafe playground maintenance qualification: AS/NZS 4486 A 1-1997

Mandatory personal protective equipment; (PPE), clothing required:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required

Gloves Face Masks

Eye Protection

WeldingMask

Appropriate Footwear

Hearing Protection

ProtectiveClothing/Sun

Protection

Use appropriate PPE for pest control and/or mowing/whipper snipping tasks as required (see SOPs 011, 012, 015, 017, 018).

Resources:

Kids safe website; http://www.kidsafensw.org/

Factsheets: http://www.kidsafensw.org/playsafety/PAU_fact_sheets.htm

ACT Education Directorate Version 2.3 — 15/5/19 Page 1 of 5Index – Health Safety and Wellbeing Safety Management System Framework Safety Procedures – BSO

Play Equipment - Checks/Maintenance/Cleaning SOP

Play Equipment – Checks/Maintenance/CleaningStandard Operating Procedure

Warnings and precautions: Sharps injury and biohazard (Sharps SOP 015). Ensure appropriate PPE for handing

sharps is used.

Risk of poisoning/allergic reaction associated with insect bites, plants and use of pesticide / herbicide use.

Use of approved pesticides for pest control is to be used in accordance with Directorate guideline SOP 011 and school management manual fact sheet 7. Appropriate PPE is to be worn, and this activity must be undertaken outside of school hours.

Graffiti removal/rust treatment repair must only be undertaken outside of school hours with approved chemicals and paints as there is a risk of respiratory or illness. Appropriate PPE is to be worn.

Risk of entrapment/laceration of fingers/toes when undertaking maintenance of broken equipment. Ensure appropriate PPE e.g. gloves and enclosed footwear is worn.

Risk of manual handling injury is associated with landscaping tasks e.g. mulching and planting. Risk assessment of tasks is to be undertaken.

Task instructions for routine inspection / maintenance:

Daily / Weekly

Report maintenance requirements to appropriate personnel, i.e. Business Manages and Repairs and Maintenance section if/as required, damaged play equipment is to be closed off from use until the identified risk is rectified.

Remove loose objects from play space e.g. small chairs, buckets, ropes, rocks.

Remove litter, glass, sharps, any unhygienic matter and clean surfacing as required.

Inspect for nesting insects and spiders. Remove infestation after conducting a risk assessment and if safe to do so.

Inspect for weeds and/or fungi and remove.

Remove graffiti.

Provide immediate maintenance attention to any broken vandalised equipment e.g. replace missing bolts/caps.

Close off broken vandalised equipment or items from use until replacement parts are available and fitted.

Mow and whipper snip around the area if required.

Monthly

Clean to remove any stains, mould and dirt.

Check the operation and stability of equipment and wear of components such as ball bearing and moving joints/chains.

ACT Education Directorate Version 2.3 — 15/5/19 Page 2 of 5Index – Health Safety and Wellbeing Safety Management System Framework Safety Procedures – BSO

Play Equipment - Checks/Maintenance/Cleaning SOP

Play Equipment – Checks/Maintenance/CleaningStandard Operating Procedure

Check playground surface for damage/trip hazards.

Monitor condition of timber items.

Annual (See attached checklists)

To be conducted by a competent playground inspector including check for compliance with Standards.

Check the overall stability of the equipment, footing, surfacing, structural integrity, corrosion/rotting.

Check for safety of any changes made due to repairs/replaced components. Note: you may need to dismantle particular parts.

Mulch garden beds/replace plants as required.

Apply rust treatment and repaint paint as required to enhance visual awareness of sharp edges.

ACT Education Directorate Version 2.3 — 15/5/19 Page 3 of 5Index – Health Safety and Wellbeing Safety Management System Framework Safety Procedures – BSO

Play Equipment - Checks/Maintenance/Cleaning SOP

Play Equipment – Checks/Maintenance/CleaningStandard Operating Procedure

ACT Education Directorate Version 2.3 — 15/5/19 Page 4 of 5Index – Health Safety and Wellbeing Safety Management System Framework Safety Procedures – BSO

Play Equipment - Checks/Maintenance/Cleaning SOP

Play Equipment – Checks/Maintenance/CleaningStandard Operating Procedure

ACT Education Directorate Version 2.3 — 15/5/19 Page 5 of 5Index – Health Safety and Wellbeing Safety Management System Framework Safety Procedures – BSO

Play Equipment - Checks/Maintenance/Cleaning SOP