Playground Equipment General Maintenance Checklist

Slides, monkey bars, swing sets – these are all playground favorites of tykes and tweens, which means they’re bound to go through lots of wear and tear. To reduce risk and keep the little rascals safe on the teeter totter, a comprehensive maintenance program should be developed for every playground. All playground areas and equipment should be inspected for excessive wear, deterioration, and any potential hazards, such as those described below.

Some manufacturers supply checklists for general or detailed inspections with their maintenance instructions. These can be used to ensure that inspections are in compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications. The following checklist can be used in the absence of a checklist provided by a manufacturer. Any “Yes” responses should be explained at the bottom of the form and addressed in a timely manner.