Research Library
Attend or catch up on our online events and resources to help your safety research and proactive efforts for your site/assets and community.
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Playground Surfacing Mini Masterclass Event
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Fireman’s Pole – Free Height of Fall (FHoF) and Impact Area (IA) and Clearance to Obstacles
08/04/2024
For playground inspectors, installers/manufacturers, and council/school asset managers: This article clarifies how to calculate a fireman’s pole Free Height of Fall (FHoF) and the minimum impact area under AS 4685.1:2021, including the practical “minus 1000 mm” rule and what that means for fall zone sizing. It’s important because small site changes like adding a shade structure can unintentionally reduce clearance to obstacles (e.g., a 1200 mm gap to a shade post), creating a non-compliance and real injury risk unless the impact area and surrounding hazards are reassessed and documented.
Determining the Inspection Radius for Surrounding Facilities in Play Safety Assessments
04/04/2024
For playground inspectors, council asset managers, and playground owners/operators: This article explains how to set a sensible inspection “radius” beyond the equipment itself, covering the surrounding environment children can access during play (paths, fences, seating, trees, water, and access routes). It’s important because Australian Standards emphasise minimum space, free space and fall zones but don’t prescribe an exact distance, so a consistent, defensible approach helps you identify off-equipment hazards and document scope clearly in reports and tenders.
Childcare Facilities in Australia: A Guide to Shelving Safety in Storage Sheds
04/04/2024
For childcare centre owners/nominated supervisors and early learning facility managers: This guide explains practical shelving safety for storage sheds in Australian childcare settings, where national rules focus on “safe and suitable” environments rather than fixed shelving heights. It highlights simple, high-impact controls like anchoring shelving and storing heavier or hazardous items at adult waist height to reduce access and injury risk, with pointers to key resources (ACECQA, Kidsafe, and state regulators) to support compliance and best practice.
Exploring the Lack of a Minimum Height Requirement for Slide Run-outs
04/04/2024
AS 4685.3 doesn’t set a minimum slide run-out height, and that can create confusion (and risk) when run-outs are installed too low into surfacing. This article explains the intent behind the Standard’s approach (maximum height limits based on slide length) and why understanding the run-out dynamics matters for safer exits, clearer reporting, and better design decisions.
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