RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

August 26, 2005
RoSPA SHOWS WAY TO SAFE PLAY IN AUSTRALIA

RoSPA has been asked to help to reduce the number of children injured on playgrounds in Australia and New Zealand.

The Society has reached an agreement for the University of Technology Sydney to train playground inspectors to RoSPA standards.

David Yearley, RoSPA Play Safety Manager, said: “Australia and New Zealand do not have an internationally recognised standard for playground inspection and inspectors. The injury rate on their playgrounds is 500 to 700 per cent higher than countries such as the UK where RoSPA has been training and accrediting inspectors for many years.

“Now, as a result of our agreement with the University of Technology Sydney, playgrounds in Australia and New Zealand will be able to be examined and certified to an internationally recognised standard by RoSPA approved inspectors.

“The risk management methods RoSPA uses have been shown to reduce the frequency of playground accidents and the severity of injuries. Demand is so high that the first course is already fully booked.”

The course is aimed at people responsible for inspections or who supervise or maintain playgrounds.