Play equipment
Safety is paramount The term ‘outdoor play equipment’ encapsulates an
extremely broad product spectrum, and many of the most successful installations can attract an equally broad age range. Regardless of demographics, however, issues surrounding the safety of play structures are more important now than ever before, and rather than shying away from the increasingly stringent safety codes, manufacturers in the sector have embraced these market changes. “As with anything Eibe does, the safety element of play
is just as important as play value itself,” said Redden. “Eibe designs and develops play equipment and facilities which are in accordance with UK and European legislation. Examples of this include the equipment itself, the surfacing used and the structure of a play area design. However, there is a general consensus within this country that safer is better.” The issues surrounding safety, however, throws up
an interesting conundrum in that many of the outdoor play structures that are most revered by children actually contain a managed element of risk. Again, this comes back to balance.
“Eibe is certainly conscious of safety, but we and the
authorities appreciate that ‘managed risk’ in play can be of a benefit within play and the development of a child,” Redden stated. “As such, where practical Eibe will encourage an element of ‘risk’ and ‘risk taking’ within its play to challenge and stimulate a child in order to help them grow and develop.” Butling added: “There’s a clear but fine
distinction between what: a) can be perceived as dangerous or hazardous by a young person and is in reality completely safe; and b) that which is inherently hazardous and likely to cause injury. For some children a wobbly plank 0.3m above the ground is enough of a challenge. For others, nothing less than a precarious rope suspended metres up in the air will do. Our job is to cater for all levels of ‘risk takers’ without making anything more or less inherently dangerous, only to play with their perception. Our background in outdoor education coupled with experience of making outdoor play equipment places us ideally to tackle this challenge.”
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