How often should playground equipment be replaced?

How often should playground equipment be replaced?

Michael Dorn and Sonayia Shepherd (School Safety Analysts) gives expert video advice on: What is the most critical factor in playground safety?; What is the most common school playground accident?; What should be included in a school accident report? and more...

Playground equipment should be replaced anytime you become aware of the fact that it is dangerous. It may be worn, it may be broken, it may be the type of equipment that was initially thought to be safe. But you have received a bulletin or you have had someone who is trained in playground inspection or perhaps an insurance company representative or risk manager who tells you that this type of equipment has been found to be dangerous. Basically, some playground equipment will last many years. Others could be dangerous as soon as you buy it, but you are not aware of that until a couple of years later, perhaps. Incidents may prove there is an inherently bad design feature. Anytime you become aware that it is really dangerous, you need to remove it.