Who determines the safety standards for playground equipment?
“The federal government makes playground guidelines for playground equipment, via the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Handbooks. They are written in user-friendly terms and considered the standard of care in the courts. In addition, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has made voluntary standards for playground equipment, surfacing and fencing for the manufacturers. Individuals should only purchase equipment that meets those standards. Neither group is an enforcer. However, those are the guidelines and voluntary standards that should be used.
