Annual Inspections by RoSPA Play Safety
The national survey of play areas carried out by Townswomen (formally called the Townswomen’s Guild), in conjunction with RoSPA, shows that play areas in Urban Areas come off relatively worse than those in towns or villages.
Only 79.3% of urban areas have independent inspections of their play areas compared to 92.1% of towns. The survey also indicated that only 72.3% of urban areas were well maintained against 82% of town areas. Dog fouling (85% of urban sites had dog fouling present) and vandalism (44.8% for urban areas against 34.2% for towns) are other problem areas.
The British and European safety standard BS EN1176 and the Health and Safety Executive strongly recommend that all play areas have at least one inspection every year from an independent suitably qualified body such as RoSPA. Urban areas in particular have a lot of catching up to do.
Children’s Playgrounds should be inspected annually by an independent specialist to ensure the long term safety of the site, equipment and ancillary items. This will also meet legal and insurance responsibilities as well as complying with the requirements of EN1176 (the new European Playground Standard).
In order to provide an economic service for towns, small communities, schools, and commercial organisations, RoSPA will be undertaking inspections in each area during set dates. Please note, these are unaccompanied visits. For an accompanied visit at any time, extra charges will apply. Please contact the office. This also applies for inspections outside of the set dates and areas in London. A written report is supplied covering site safety and condition, equipment, surfacing, and ancillary item safety and condition, and compliance with EN1176 where relevant. Recommendations for any remedial action required are given together with an assessment of the degree of risk.
The cost for each site is £63 for a site of up to five items of play equipment plus £3.00 for each additional item. The Health and Safety Executive are suggesting that parish play areas should have a risk assessment. RoSPA can undertake this at the same time as the annual inspection for an inclusive fee (including the annual inspection) of £83 per site for up to five items and £3.00 for each additional item. All prices are subject to VAT. Once carried out a risk assessment is not normally needed again providing maintenance is kept up or unless the site is changed. For schools and commercial premises an additional charge of £22 is made to cover the additional time involved.
In order to avoid forgetting to order your annual inspection you can place a "Standing Order" for an inspection every year until further notice. If you sign up for this service (please indicate on the relevant section of the Play Safety Inspection Services Order Form (PDF 28kb) your area(s) will automatically be inspected each year. Written notification of the impending inspection will be sent out several weeks in advance in second and subsequent years in case you wish to alter, or cancel, any of the arrangements.
RoSPA inspections are acceptable for insurance purposes and professional indemnity insurance of £5,000,000 is carried.
We regret that it is not possible to make an appointment without an extra fee of £35.00.
New playgrounds should be subject to a post-installation inspection on completion as part of any contract and the cost met by the installer.
How to Order
Download and print the Play Safety Inspection Services Order Form (PDF 28kb)
- Tick the options you require.
- Fill in your details (including address for correspondence)
- Send completed forms, with a sketch map showing the site(s) location(s) within the parish, town or community at least one month before the inspection is due, to:
RoSPA Playsafety Ltd., The Old Barn, Wicklesham Lodge, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 7PN Telephone: +44 (0)1367 244600 Fax: +44 (0)1367 244112. Email: info@rospaplaysafety.co.uk
N.B. It is important that you send a map, or directions, locating the area(s) within the community and as well as a contact name and number. Under our legal duty of care we are unable to inspect playgrounds where a telephone number is not supplied.
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