An Operational Check is the thorough, hands-on counterpart to the quick weekly play Check. Instead of one graded judgement for the whole item, it asks a question per component and you answer OK / N/A / fault on each: fixings and fastenings, bearings and pivot play, chains, ropes and cables, foundations and anchors, impact-surfacing depth, clearances and entrapment gaps. Anything marked a fault raises a defect against that asset.

These are an operational inspection type. The recommended cadence shown on each is quarterly, which is the operational-inspection interval named in BS EN 1176-7, but it is advisory and you set what suits your council and your insurer.

Wooden play castles and towers get the Operational Timber Play Unit Check alongside the Operational Multi Play Unit Check, covering the timber-specific items (rot, splitting, ground-line decay).

Before you use this checklist: you don't build these — they're built in and matched to your assets. To put one on someone's phone, create an inspection (or a job) on the asset and pick the checklist. A checklist only appears for the right asset type. See How to Use a Checklist.
Jump to a checklist

Operational Balance Beam Check

Covers: Balance Beam, Low Rope, Play Log, Stepping Pod, Wobble Bridge. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the balance beam. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Support posts
OKN/APost damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each upright along its full length for impact damage, corrosion at the ground line, rot and splitting.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Ropes
OKN/ARope damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check every rope for broken strands, abrasion, cuts and ultraviolet degradation.
11 Rope and net terminations
OKN/ATermination loose
ⓘ Guidance
Check swaged, clamped and knotted terminations are tight and undamaged.
12 Beam walking surface
OKN/AWalking surface damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the walking surface for splinters, wear, rot and loss of anti-slip finish.
13 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
14 Falling space obstructions
OKN/AObstruction in falling space
ⓘ Guidance
Stand where a child would fall from the highest point they can reach and look at what is in that space: a fence, a tree, a bin, the corner of another unit. "Obstruction in falling space" means a fall that should be survivable has something hard in it.
15 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
16 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
17 Splinters and surface finish
OKN/ASplintering
ⓘ Guidance
Check timber and composite surfaces for splinters, raised grain and failed finish.
18 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
19 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
20 Structural stability
OKN/AStructure moves
ⓘ Guidance
Push the structure firmly at head height, in two directions. Do this at the end, after you have looked at the footings, so you know whether any movement is the structure or the ground. "Structure moves" = movement you can see, or that you can feel through the frame. A structure that rocks on its footings is a different problem from one that flexes at a joint, so say which in the note.

Operational Cableway Check

Covers: Flying Fox, Traverse Wire, Zip Line. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the cableway. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Foundation undermining
OKN/AFoundation undermined
ⓘ Guidance
Look for material washed, dug or worn away from beneath a foundation, often on a slope or where water runs. "Foundation undermined" = the footing no longer has full ground support, so the structure will start to move even though the footing itself is sound. Take the equipment out of use.
06 Support masts and headframe
OKN/AMast damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the masts and headframe carrying the cable for damage, corrosion and movement.
07 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
08 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
09 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
10 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
11 Cables and wire rope
OKN/ACable damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the cable along its length for broken wires, kinking, corrosion and birdcaging.
12 Cable tension and sag
OKN/ACable sag excessive
ⓘ Guidance
Sight along the cable and check the mid-span sag against how it was installed. Too much sag lets a rider touch the ground; too little puts the load into the masts. "Cable sag excessive" = the rider would reach or come close to the ground at the lowest point, which takes the run out of use.
13 Trolley and running gear
OKN/ATrolley damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the wheels turn freely and have no flats, and that the body and retaining hardware are sound. "Trolley damaged" = anything that would let the trolley jam or leave the cable. Run it through once without a rider as well.
14 Bearing and pivot play
OKN/AExcessive play
ⓘ Guidance
Hold the moving part just below its bearing, push and pull it sideways, then lift and drop it. A sound bearing has barely any give and stays quiet. "OK" = movement you can hardly feel, no noise. "Excessive play" = you can feel the pin shifting in its housing, or you hear a knock as it changes direction. Bearing wear speeds up once it starts, so report it while the equipment is still usable rather than waiting.
15 Shackles, quick links and connectors
OKN/AConnector worn or open
ⓘ Guidance
Check every shackle and quick link is fully closed and seated, not just nipped up. Look at the side plates for spreading, which means it has been overloaded. "Connector worn or open" = the gate has backed off, the pin is loose, or the shackle has opened out. This is a single point of failure on suspended equipment, so treat it as urgent.
16 Seats
OKN/ASeat damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each seat for splits, deformation, missing material and heat damage.
17 Handgrips and handholds
OKN/AHandgrip damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check handgrips and handholds are present, secure and not spinning on their mounting.
18 Boarding and landing platform
OKN/APlatform damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the boarding and landing platforms and their steps for damage and secure fixing.
19 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
20 Clearance beneath seat
OKN/AClearance reduced
ⓘ Guidance
Measure or judge the gap from the seat at rest down to the surfacing. It closes over time through chain stretch and through fill building up underneath. "Clearance reduced" = noticeably less than it should be. "Seat grounding" = the seat touches, which takes the swing out of use.
21 Falling space obstructions
OKN/AObstruction in falling space
ⓘ Guidance
Stand where a child would fall from the highest point they can reach and look at what is in that space: a fence, a tree, a bin, the corner of another unit. "Obstruction in falling space" means a fall that should be survivable has something hard in it.
22 Entanglement points
OKN/AEntanglement point
ⓘ Guidance
Look for anything that could catch a drawstring, a toggle, a scarf or a bike helmet strap: open hooks, gaps that narrow to a V, bolt ends standing proud, and frayed rope ends. Test suspect points by running a cord over them. "Entanglement point" takes the equipment out of use the same day, because the child cannot free themselves.
23 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
24 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
25 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
26 Trolley run test
OKN/ATrolley run uneven
ⓘ Guidance
Run the trolley the full length without a rider. Check for snatching, noise and correct braking.

Operational Climbing Frame Check

Covers: Aerial Web, Climbing Boulder, Climbing Frame, Climbing Net, Climbing Play Structure, Climbing Pole, Climbing Wall, Crows Nest, and 3 more. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the climbing frame. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Support posts
OKN/APost damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each upright along its full length for impact damage, corrosion at the ground line, rot and splitting.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Ropes
OKN/ARope damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check every rope for broken strands, abrasion, cuts and ultraviolet degradation.
11 Rope core and sheath
OKN/ACore exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Work along the rope with your hand, paying attention to the bends and the ends. Surface fuzz on the outer sheath is normal wear. "Core exposed" = you can see or feel the steel core through the sheath, which means the rope is at the end of its life and should come out of use now, not at the next visit.
12 Climbing nets
OKN/ANet damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the net for cut, abraded or missing strands and for damaged junction clamps.
13 Net tension
OKN/ANet slack
ⓘ Guidance
Check the net is tensioned so it does not sag into the falling space or form a slack loop.
14 Rope and net terminations
OKN/ATermination loose
ⓘ Guidance
Check swaged, clamped and knotted terminations are tight and undamaged.
15 Handgrips and handholds
OKN/AHandgrip damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check handgrips and handholds are present, secure and not spinning on their mounting.
16 Climbing holds and grips
OKN/AHold loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check climbing holds are present, tight and not spinning on their fixing.
17 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
18 Falling space obstructions
OKN/AObstruction in falling space
ⓘ Guidance
Stand where a child would fall from the highest point they can reach and look at what is in that space: a fence, a tree, a bin, the corner of another unit. "Obstruction in falling space" means a fall that should be survivable has something hard in it.
19 Head and neck entrapment gaps
OKN/AEntrapment gap
ⓘ Guidance
A gap is safe if a head cannot enter it, or if a head that enters can come back out. The danger is the range in between. Use the probes on rigid gaps if you have them; without probes, treat anything roughly between a fist and a head as suspect and re-check it with the probes before signing off. "Entrapment gap" should take the equipment out of use the same day.
20 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
21 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
22 Entanglement points
OKN/AEntanglement point
ⓘ Guidance
Look for anything that could catch a drawstring, a toggle, a scarf or a bike helmet strap: open hooks, gaps that narrow to a V, bolt ends standing proud, and frayed rope ends. Test suspect points by running a cord over them. "Entanglement point" takes the equipment out of use the same day, because the child cannot free themselves.
23 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
24 Splinters and surface finish
OKN/ASplintering
ⓘ Guidance
Check timber and composite surfaces for splinters, raised grain and failed finish.
25 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
26 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
27 Structural stability
OKN/AStructure moves
ⓘ Guidance
Push the structure firmly at head height, in two directions. Do this at the end, after you have looked at the footings, so you know whether any movement is the structure or the ground. "Structure moves" = movement you can see, or that you can feel through the frame. A structure that rocks on its footings is a different problem from one that flexes at a joint, so say which in the note.

Operational Multi Play Unit Check

Covers: Multi Activity Unit, Pirate Ship, Play Castle, Play Space Rocket, Playground Fort, Playground Tower, Playhouse, Soft Play, and 2 more. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the multi play unit. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Support posts
OKN/APost damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each upright along its full length for impact damage, corrosion at the ground line, rot and splitting.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Ropes
OKN/ARope damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check every rope for broken strands, abrasion, cuts and ultraviolet degradation.
11 Climbing nets
OKN/ANet damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the net for cut, abraded or missing strands and for damaged junction clamps.
12 Rope and net terminations
OKN/ATermination loose
ⓘ Guidance
Check swaged, clamped and knotted terminations are tight and undamaged.
13 Handgrips and handholds
OKN/AHandgrip damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check handgrips and handholds are present, secure and not spinning on their mounting.
14 Steps and stair treads
OKN/ATread loose or worn
ⓘ Guidance
Check each tread is secure, evenly spaced and still has its anti-slip surface.
15 Ladder rungs
OKN/ARung loose or worn
ⓘ Guidance
Check each rung is secure, unworn and evenly spaced.
16 Access ramps
OKN/ARamp damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check ramps for damage, secure fixing and a sound anti-slip surface.
17 Deck platforms
OKN/ADeck unsound
ⓘ Guidance
Stand on each deck and shift your weight rather than looking at it from below. "Deck unsound" = flex you can feel, a board that moves, delamination at the edges, or a fixing that has let go. On timber units check the underside where water sits.
18 Deck surfaces and drainage
OKN/ADeck surface slippery or ponding
ⓘ Guidance
Check deck surfaces retain their anti-slip finish and drain without ponding.
19 Guardrails
OKN/AGuardrail loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check guardrails on every raised deck, including ones reached by a route you would not expect a child to take. "Guardrail loose or missing" = it moves when pushed, or there is a gap where one should be. A missing guardrail on a raised deck takes the unit out of use.
20 Barriers and infill panels
OKN/ABarrier damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check barriers and infill panels are secure, complete and free of climbing aids.
21 Bridges and links
OKN/ABridge unsound
ⓘ Guidance
Walk each bridge or link. Check the deck, its handholds and both end connections.
22 Activity panels
OKN/APanel damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check activity panels are secure, complete and have no trapped or sharp mechanisms.
23 Climbing holds and grips
OKN/AHold loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check climbing holds are present, tight and not spinning on their fixing.
24 Fire pole
OKN/APole loose
ⓘ Guidance
Check the pole is secure top and bottom and the landing beneath it is clear.
25 Roof and canopy
OKN/ARoof damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the roof or canopy for damage, secure fixing and standing water.
26 Slide entry section
OKN/AEntry damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the entry section, its guardrails and the transition onto the bed.
27 Slide bed
OKN/ABed damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand down the full length of the bed, including the parts you cannot see into. You are feeling for cracks, scoring, burrs and lifted edges. "Bed damaged" = anything that would catch skin on the way down. Stainless beds are more likely to have a split at a weld than a crack in the middle, so check the seams.
28 Slide bed joints
OKN/AJoint lifted
ⓘ Guidance
Check every joint in the bed is flush, sealed and has no lifted or proud edge.
29 Slide sidewalls
OKN/ASidewall damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the sidewalls along the full length for cracking, distortion and adequate height.
30 Slide exit and run-out
OKN/ARun-out incorrect
ⓘ Guidance
Check the exit height above the surfacing and the clear run-out beyond it. A slide that is too high at the exit tips a child forward; too low and they stop dead. "Run-out incorrect" = the exit has changed relative to the ground, usually because surfacing has moved rather than because the slide has.
31 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
32 Falling space obstructions
OKN/AObstruction in falling space
ⓘ Guidance
Stand where a child would fall from the highest point they can reach and look at what is in that space: a fence, a tree, a bin, the corner of another unit. "Obstruction in falling space" means a fall that should be survivable has something hard in it.
33 Head and neck entrapment gaps
OKN/AEntrapment gap
ⓘ Guidance
A gap is safe if a head cannot enter it, or if a head that enters can come back out. The danger is the range in between. Use the probes on rigid gaps if you have them; without probes, treat anything roughly between a fist and a head as suspect and re-check it with the probes before signing off. "Entrapment gap" should take the equipment out of use the same day.
34 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
35 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
36 Entanglement points
OKN/AEntanglement point
ⓘ Guidance
Look for anything that could catch a drawstring, a toggle, a scarf or a bike helmet strap: open hooks, gaps that narrow to a V, bolt ends standing proud, and frayed rope ends. Test suspect points by running a cord over them. "Entanglement point" takes the equipment out of use the same day, because the child cannot free themselves.
37 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
38 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
39 Manufacturer and installation plate
OKN/APlate missing or illegible
ⓘ Guidance
Check the manufacturer plate and installation date are present and readable.
40 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
41 Structural stability
OKN/AStructure moves
ⓘ Guidance
Push the structure firmly at head height, in two directions. Do this at the end, after you have looked at the footings, so you know whether any movement is the structure or the ground. "Structure moves" = movement you can see, or that you can feel through the frame. A structure that rocks on its footings is a different problem from one that flexes at a joint, so say which in the note.

Operational Roundabout Check

Covers: Gyro spinner, Merry-Go-Round, Play Roundabout, Rotating Net, Seated roundabout, Spinner, Spinning Bowl, Spinning Net. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the roundabout. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing condition and compaction
OKN/ASurface compacted or worn
ⓘ Guidance
Press on the loose fill and on any rubber surfacing. Loose fill that has compacted into a crust no longer absorbs a fall, and rubber that has hardened, shrunk from its edges or split does the same. "Surface compacted or worn" = it looks intact but will not perform, which is why this is a separate question from coverage.
03 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
04 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
05 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Central bearing and rotation
OKN/ARotation stiff or noisy
ⓘ Guidance
Turn the platform through several full rotations. Check for stiffness, grinding and uneven running.
11 Bearing and pivot play
OKN/AExcessive play
ⓘ Guidance
Hold the moving part just below its bearing, push and pull it sideways, then lift and drop it. A sound bearing has barely any give and stays quiet. "OK" = movement you can hardly feel, no noise. "Excessive play" = you can feel the pin shifting in its housing, or you hear a knock as it changes direction. Bearing wear speeds up once it starts, so report it while the equipment is still usable rather than waiting.
12 Lubrication
OKN/ALubrication needed
ⓘ Guidance
Check moving joints are lubricated where the manufacturer requires it.
13 Rotating platform edge
OKN/APlatform edge damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the outer edge of the rotating platform for damage, sharp returns and gaps to the surround.
14 Handgrips and handholds
OKN/AHandgrip damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check handgrips and handholds are present, secure and not spinning on their mounting.
15 Footrests and foot plates
OKN/AFootrest damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check footrests and foot plates are secure, complete and still have their anti-slip surface.
16 Deck platforms
OKN/ADeck unsound
ⓘ Guidance
Stand on each deck and shift your weight rather than looking at it from below. "Deck unsound" = flex you can feel, a board that moves, delamination at the edges, or a fixing that has let go. On timber units check the underside where water sits.
17 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
18 Clearance to adjacent equipment
OKN/AClearance to adjacent equipment reduced
ⓘ Guidance
Check the separation from neighbouring equipment still meets the installed layout.
19 Moving part clearance to frame
OKN/AMoving part fouling frame
ⓘ Guidance
Check moving parts do not foul the frame, the surfacing or each other through their full travel.
20 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
21 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
22 Crush and shear points
OKN/ACrush or shear point
ⓘ Guidance
Look at where a moving part passes a fixed one, and ask whether a hand or foot could be caught there. Guarded, or a gap wide enough that a limb passes through freely, are both fine. "Crush or shear point" is the gap in between, and it takes the equipment out of use.
23 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
24 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
25 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
26 Rotation test
OKN/ARotation uneven or noisy
ⓘ Guidance
Rotate under load through several turns. Listen and watch for grabbing, noise and frame movement.

Operational Seesaw Check

Covers: See-Saw, Spring Seesaw, Teeter-Totter. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the seesaw. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
06 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
07 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
08 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
09 Pivot point and fulcrum
OKN/APivot worn
ⓘ Guidance
Check the central pivot and its bushes for wear, corrosion and side play.
10 Damping and end stops
OKN/ADamper failed
ⓘ Guidance
Check the rubber buffers or dampers that limit travel are present, secure and not perished.
11 Lubrication
OKN/ALubrication needed
ⓘ Guidance
Check moving joints are lubricated where the manufacturer requires it.
12 Seats
OKN/ASeat damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each seat for splits, deformation, missing material and heat damage.
13 Handgrips and handholds
OKN/AHandgrip damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check handgrips and handholds are present, secure and not spinning on their mounting.
14 Footrests and foot plates
OKN/AFootrest damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check footrests and foot plates are secure, complete and still have their anti-slip surface.
15 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
16 Moving part clearance to frame
OKN/AMoving part fouling frame
ⓘ Guidance
Check moving parts do not foul the frame, the surfacing or each other through their full travel.
17 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
18 Crush and shear points
OKN/ACrush or shear point
ⓘ Guidance
Look at where a moving part passes a fixed one, and ask whether a hand or foot could be caught there. Guarded, or a gap wide enough that a limb passes through freely, are both fine. "Crush or shear point" is the gap in between, and it takes the equipment out of use.
19 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
20 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
21 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
22 Seesaw movement test
OKN/AMovement uneven
ⓘ Guidance
Work the seesaw through its full travel. Check both ends move evenly and the stops engage.

Operational Slide Check

Covers: Chute, Slide. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the slide. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Support posts
OKN/APost damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each upright along its full length for impact damage, corrosion at the ground line, rot and splitting.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Steps and stair treads
OKN/ATread loose or worn
ⓘ Guidance
Check each tread is secure, evenly spaced and still has its anti-slip surface.
11 Ladder rungs
OKN/ARung loose or worn
ⓘ Guidance
Check each rung is secure, unworn and evenly spaced.
12 Guardrails
OKN/AGuardrail loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check guardrails on every raised deck, including ones reached by a route you would not expect a child to take. "Guardrail loose or missing" = it moves when pushed, or there is a gap where one should be. A missing guardrail on a raised deck takes the unit out of use.
13 Deck platforms
OKN/ADeck unsound
ⓘ Guidance
Stand on each deck and shift your weight rather than looking at it from below. "Deck unsound" = flex you can feel, a board that moves, delamination at the edges, or a fixing that has let go. On timber units check the underside where water sits.
14 Slide entry section
OKN/AEntry damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the entry section, its guardrails and the transition onto the bed.
15 Slide bed
OKN/ABed damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand down the full length of the bed, including the parts you cannot see into. You are feeling for cracks, scoring, burrs and lifted edges. "Bed damaged" = anything that would catch skin on the way down. Stainless beds are more likely to have a split at a weld than a crack in the middle, so check the seams.
16 Slide bed joints
OKN/AJoint lifted
ⓘ Guidance
Check every joint in the bed is flush, sealed and has no lifted or proud edge.
17 Slide sidewalls
OKN/ASidewall damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the sidewalls along the full length for cracking, distortion and adequate height.
18 Slide exit and run-out
OKN/ARun-out incorrect
ⓘ Guidance
Check the exit height above the surfacing and the clear run-out beyond it. A slide that is too high at the exit tips a child forward; too low and they stop dead. "Run-out incorrect" = the exit has changed relative to the ground, usually because surfacing has moved rather than because the slide has.
19 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
20 Falling space obstructions
OKN/AObstruction in falling space
ⓘ Guidance
Stand where a child would fall from the highest point they can reach and look at what is in that space: a fence, a tree, a bin, the corner of another unit. "Obstruction in falling space" means a fall that should be survivable has something hard in it.
21 Head and neck entrapment gaps
OKN/AEntrapment gap
ⓘ Guidance
A gap is safe if a head cannot enter it, or if a head that enters can come back out. The danger is the range in between. Use the probes on rigid gaps if you have them; without probes, treat anything roughly between a fist and a head as suspect and re-check it with the probes before signing off. "Entrapment gap" should take the equipment out of use the same day.
22 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
23 Entanglement points
OKN/AEntanglement point
ⓘ Guidance
Look for anything that could catch a drawstring, a toggle, a scarf or a bike helmet strap: open hooks, gaps that narrow to a V, bolt ends standing proud, and frayed rope ends. Test suspect points by running a cord over them. "Entanglement point" takes the equipment out of use the same day, because the child cannot free themselves.
24 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
25 Plastic components
OKN/APlastic cracked or brittle
ⓘ Guidance
Check plastic components for cracking, chalking and brittleness from ultraviolet exposure.
26 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
27 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.

Operational Spring Rider Check

Covers: Rocking Cockerel, Rocking Cow, Rocking Dog, Rocking Elephant, Rocking Frog, Rocking Horse, Rocking Marmoset, Sit in Spring Toy, and 6 more. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the spring rider. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 Foundation undermining
OKN/AFoundation undermined
ⓘ Guidance
Look for material washed, dug or worn away from beneath a foundation, often on a slope or where water runs. "Foundation undermined" = the footing no longer has full ground support, so the structure will start to move even though the footing itself is sound. Take the equipment out of use.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Spring and spring housing
OKN/ASpring cracked or corroded
ⓘ Guidance
Look into the spring coils and at the housing where the spring meets the base, which is where they fail. Corrosion inside the coil is easy to miss. "Spring cracked or corroded" = take it out of use: a spring that fails does so suddenly and drops the rider.
11 Lubrication
OKN/ALubrication needed
ⓘ Guidance
Check moving joints are lubricated where the manufacturer requires it.
12 Seat mounting
OKN/ASeat mount loose
ⓘ Guidance
Check the seat mounting to the spring or pivot for security and elongated holes.
13 Seats
OKN/ASeat damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each seat for splits, deformation, missing material and heat damage.
14 Handgrips and handholds
OKN/AHandgrip damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check handgrips and handholds are present, secure and not spinning on their mounting.
15 Footrests and foot plates
OKN/AFootrest damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check footrests and foot plates are secure, complete and still have their anti-slip surface.
16 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
17 Clearance to adjacent equipment
OKN/AClearance to adjacent equipment reduced
ⓘ Guidance
Check the separation from neighbouring equipment still meets the installed layout.
18 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
19 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
20 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
21 Plastic components
OKN/APlastic cracked or brittle
ⓘ Guidance
Check plastic components for cracking, chalking and brittleness from ultraviolet exposure.
22 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
23 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
24 Rocking test
OKN/ARocking uneven or noisy
ⓘ Guidance
Rock through the full range. Check the motion is even and the unit returns to rest.

Operational Swing Check

Covers: Basket Swing, Kiddy Seat, Rope Swing, Still Ring, Swing, Wheelchair Accessible Swings. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the swing. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
04 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
05 A-frame legs
OKN/ALeg damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each leg for impact damage, corrosion at the ground line and rot.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Top beam
OKN/ABeam damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the top beam for bowing, corrosion, splitting and movement at the hanger points.
09 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
10 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
11 Top hanger bearings
OKN/ABearing stiff or seized
ⓘ Guidance
Check the hanger bearings turn freely and are not dry, gritty or seized.
12 Bearing and pivot play
OKN/AExcessive play
ⓘ Guidance
Hold the moving part just below its bearing, push and pull it sideways, then lift and drop it. A sound bearing has barely any give and stays quiet. "OK" = movement you can hardly feel, no noise. "Excessive play" = you can feel the pin shifting in its housing, or you hear a knock as it changes direction. Bearing wear speeds up once it starts, so report it while the equipment is still usable rather than waiting.
13 Shackles, quick links and connectors
OKN/AConnector worn or open
ⓘ Guidance
Check every shackle and quick link is fully closed and seated, not just nipped up. Look at the side plates for spreading, which means it has been overloaded. "Connector worn or open" = the gate has backed off, the pin is loose, or the shackle has opened out. This is a single point of failure on suspended equipment, so treat it as urgent.
14 Chains
OKN/AChain damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Run each chain through the hand along its full length. Check for corrosion, twist and broken links.
15 Chain wear at load-bearing links
OKN/ALinks elongated or thinned
ⓘ Guidance
Run the load-bearing links through your hand, then compare them against a link from a part of the chain that carries no load. "OK" = the links look and feel the same. "Links elongated or thinned" = you can see the link has stretched into an oval, or the metal has visibly worn thinner on the bearing face. Roughly a third of thickness gone is the point at which the chain is replaced, not monitored.
16 Seats
OKN/ASeat damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check each seat for splits, deformation, missing material and heat damage.
17 Seat-to-chain connection
OKN/ASeat connection loose
ⓘ Guidance
Check the seat clamps or bolted connection at the top of the seat for security and wear.
18 Cradle seat and leg openings
OKN/ACradle damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the cradle sides and leg openings are intact and have not deformed. A cradle that has softened or spread lets a child slip through the leg opening. "Cradle damaged" = splits, distortion, or openings that have grown. N/A on flat seats.
19 Harness and restraints
OKN/ARestraint damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check any harness, bar or restraint operates, latches and is undamaged. N/A where none is fitted.
20 Clearance beneath seat
OKN/AClearance reduced
ⓘ Guidance
Measure or judge the gap from the seat at rest down to the surfacing. It closes over time through chain stretch and through fill building up underneath. "Clearance reduced" = noticeably less than it should be. "Seat grounding" = the seat touches, which takes the swing out of use.
21 Moving part clearance to frame
OKN/AMoving part fouling frame
ⓘ Guidance
Check moving parts do not foul the frame, the surfacing or each other through their full travel.
22 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
23 Head and neck entrapment gaps
OKN/AEntrapment gap
ⓘ Guidance
A gap is safe if a head cannot enter it, or if a head that enters can come back out. The danger is the range in between. Use the probes on rigid gaps if you have them; without probes, treat anything roughly between a fist and a head as suspect and re-check it with the probes before signing off. "Entrapment gap" should take the equipment out of use the same day.
24 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
25 Entanglement points
OKN/AEntanglement point
ⓘ Guidance
Look for anything that could catch a drawstring, a toggle, a scarf or a bike helmet strap: open hooks, gaps that narrow to a V, bolt ends standing proud, and frayed rope ends. Test suspect points by running a cord over them. "Entanglement point" takes the equipment out of use the same day, because the child cannot free themselves.
26 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
27 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
28 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
29 Full-arc swing test
OKN/AMovement or noise under load
ⓘ Guidance
Swing each seat through its full arc. Listen and watch for knocking, fouling and frame movement.

Operational Timber Play Unit Check

Covers: Wooden Play Castle, Wooden Play Tower. recommended quarterly.

SWEEP
01 Timber at ground line
OKN/ATimber soft or rotten
ⓘ Guidance
Press a screwdriver or a key into the timber right at ground level and just below it, where water sits. Sound timber resists. "Timber soft or rotten" = the point sinks in easily, the surface feels spongy, or you can pick fibres out. This is the commonest way a timber unit fails and it is almost invisible above ground, so probe it rather than looking at it.
02 Timber splitting and shakes
OKN/ATimber split
ⓘ Guidance
Check timber members for splits, shakes and delamination, particularly around fixings.
03 Bolt bedding in timber
OKN/ABolt bedded into timber
ⓘ Guidance
Look at whether the washer or bolt head has pulled into the timber, leaving a dish around it. That means the timber beneath has softened, so the fixing is no longer tight even if the nut is. "Bolt bedded into timber" = the fixing needs the timber assessed, not just the nut re-tightened.
04 Splinters and surface finish
OKN/ASplintering
ⓘ Guidance
Check timber and composite surfaces for splinters, raised grain and failed finish.

Operational Trampoline Check

Covers: Trampoline. recommended quarterly.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the trampoline. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Surfacing depth
Enter a number (mm)
ⓘ Guidance
Push the probe or rule down to firm ground at the point of most use, usually under a swing seat or at a slide exit, not at the edge where the fill is deepest. Record the figure even when it looks fine, because the trend over several visits is what tells you the surfacing is migrating.
01 Surfacing coverage
OKN/ASurface displaced
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the whole impact area and look for bare patches, scuffed hollows and fill that has been kicked to the edges. "Surface displaced" = there is a spot where a child would land on something other than the intended surface. Raking loose fill back is often the fix, so note where rather than just that.
02 Surfacing contamination
OKN/AContamination present
ⓘ Guidance
Look for glass, sharps, animal fouling and standing water, and check under the equipment where fill collects. "Contamination present" = the area should be closed until it is cleared, and sharps are not to be handled: follow the safe-disposal procedure.
03 Surfacing edges and trims
OKN/AEdge trim exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check edge trims and retaining kerbs are level, covered and not standing proud.
04 Concrete footings
OKN/AFooting exposed
ⓘ Guidance
The footing should be below the surfacing and covered. "Footing exposed" = you can see concrete, which means either the surfacing has moved away or the ground has settled. It matters because a child falling onto an exposed footing is landing on concrete, not on the surface you installed.
05 Ground anchors and anchor bolts
OKN/AAnchor bolts exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check anchor bolts are covered, tight and free of corrosion.
06 Frame welds and joints
OKN/AJoint cracked or distorted
ⓘ Guidance
Look closely at where members meet, particularly welds that carry load. Paint cracking along a weld line is often the first sign of the weld beneath it moving. "Joint cracked or distorted" = a visible crack, or a joint that has pulled out of square, and either takes the equipment out of use.
07 Protective coating and corrosion
OKN/ACoating breaking down
ⓘ Guidance
Check galvanising, paint and powder coating for breakdown, particularly at the ground line and weld lines.
08 Structural bolts and fixings
OKN/AFixing loose or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Put a hand on each structural bolt and try to move it, rather than looking at it. A bolt can look right and be finger-loose. "Fixing loose or missing" = anything you can turn by hand, or an empty hole. Note which joint, because a loose bolt at a leg joint is a different urgency from one on a panel.
09 Bolt caps and thread ends
OKN/ACap missing or thread exposed
ⓘ Guidance
Check protective caps are in place and no thread ends are exposed.
10 Trampoline bed
OKN/ABed damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the bed edge and check the fixings all the way round, then look across the surface for splits and worn patches. "Bed damaged" = a split, a failed fixing, or wear that has thinned the material. Trampoline beds fail at the perimeter first, so give the edge more attention than the middle.
11 Free space and clearance zone
OKN/AObstruction in free space
ⓘ Guidance
Walk the free space around the equipment and look at what has appeared since the last visit: new planting, a bin, a bench, a parked trailer, a fence panel. "Obstruction in free space" is nearly always something someone has added in good faith, so record what it is.
12 Clearance to adjacent equipment
OKN/AClearance to adjacent equipment reduced
ⓘ Guidance
Check the separation from neighbouring equipment still meets the installed layout.
13 Finger entrapment gaps
OKN/AFinger trap
ⓘ Guidance
Look for openings a finger can enter but not easily withdraw, especially worn bolt holes, gaps that have opened at a joint, and the ends of open tubes. Chain links matter most on swings, where a finger can be drawn in as the chain moves under load. "Finger trap" = a defect to fix before the equipment is used again, even though it looks minor.
14 Foot and leg entrapment
OKN/AFoot trap
ⓘ Guidance
Check anywhere a foot can drop into a gap and then be held as the child keeps moving: deck openings, the space between treads, the mesh of a net at ground level, and the join between the equipment and its surround. "Foot trap" matters most where the child is moving at speed or at height.
15 Protrusions and sharp edges
OKN/ASharp edge or protrusion
ⓘ Guidance
Run a flat hand, not a fingertip, over every edge a child can reach: bolt ends, tube ends, weld lines, and the edges of worn plastic. "Sharp edge or protrusion" = something that would catch skin or clothing at speed. Sharp edges are usually created by wear or damage, so this can change between visits even on equipment nothing has happened to.
16 Signage and age labelling
OKN/ASignage faded or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the age recommendation and the emergency contact notice are present and legible.
17 Graffiti and cleanliness
OKN/AGraffiti or soiling
ⓘ Guidance
Check the frame, seats and surround for graffiti, soiling and biological growth.
18 Bounce test
OKN/ABounce uneven
ⓘ Guidance
Bounce the bed lightly across its area. Check the response is even and the frame stays still.

Using these checklists in Civic.ly

Every checklist here is built into Civic.ly as a standard template — you don't recreate it. Add the asset, create the inspection or job (standalone or via a routine), pick the checklist, and it appears on the assigned person's phone, with any fault raising a defect automatically. New to this? See How to Use a Checklist.

Common Questions

No. Routine and operational checks are the council's own duty-holder checks. An annual inspection by an accredited independent inspector is a separate thing, and Civic.ly does not provide a checklist for it.

Both, at different intervals. The weekly Check is the quick visual that spots vandalism and obvious damage between visits. The Operational Check is the periodic hands-on examination of each component.

Ground-level units share the Climbing Frame or Multi Play Unit Operational Check, which carries deck, rail and slide items that a ground-level unit doesn't have. Answer N/A and carry on. Tuned versions for those types are on our list.

Outdoor gym and basic play types keep the graded play Checks. Itemising them would produce a form that is mostly N/A, so we left them on the tier that fits.

Not at present. Record the measurement and judge it against the equipment's fall height yourself.