Training
Content:
- Structure of Playground Inspection Training
- Routine Visual Inspection Training
- Operational Inspection Training
- Functional Design Inspection Training
- Annual Comprehensive Inspection Training
- Prerequisites for training
- Prerequisites if training course in your training room
- Team Member Training Matrix
- Pricing
- Inquiry form
Structure of Playground Inspection Training
Playground Inspection Protection (PIP) has a long history of providing targeted playground inspection training.
There are three recognised levels of playground inspection in the Australian Playground Standards.
- Level 1 – Routine Visual Inspection
- Level 2 – Operational Inspection
- Level 3
- Comprehensive Inspection
- Post Installation Inspection, Drop Testing & Certification
- Functional Design
All of our inspection training course content is structured to fit the latest definitions required since the release of new playground equipment and fitness equipment standards in 2021. All training courses are being updated to the current applicable Australian Standards and will be offered after they are updated.
Once you have completed our training you will receive a certificate of attainment from the RTO for a nationally recognised course.
You don’t need to renew your certification (your will be certified for your lifetime), however, if there are any major updates to the Australian Playground Standards we will offer a refresher course (this course will not have any assessment)
Applicable Current Australian Standards:
- AS 4685.0:2017
- AS 4422:2016
- AS4685 parts 1-6:2021 – Published 29th Jan 2021
- AS 4685.11:2012 (Spatial Nets)
- AS 16630:2021 (Outdoor Fitness Equipment) – No Previous Australian Standard.
Please Note:
- AS 4685parts 1-6:2014 has been superseded by AS4685 parts 1-6:2021 with a 12 month change over period from 29th January 2021 till 29th January 2022.
- AS16630:2021 – Outdoor Fitness Equipment was released on 29th January 2021 and intended to become effectively immediately with no grace period for compliance.
Routine Visual Inspection Training
(National competency AHCPGD212 -Conduct visual inspection of park facilities)
Also referred to as Level 1 in the playground industry
One-day training
This is an entry level training course in training room that is mainly focused on the safety of working in a park setting where the public are in or near your work area. The subject matter is closely aligned with WH&S principles as a Routine Visual Playground Inspection has many parallels with a WH&S inspection along with specific requirements of Playground & Fitness Equipment Standards. The training also covers Loose Fill and Unitary Softfall as it relates to routine visual inspection. Participants will also be introduced to the Routine Visual Inspection Checklist for Inspections.
Attendees will get an introduction to Australian Playground Standards and have an opportunity to have a practical on-site assessment to receive the nationally recognized qualification – national competency AHCPGD212 -Conduct visual inspection of park facilities.
Topics covered:
- What Is Routine Visual Inspection
- Commonly Used Terms
- The Purpose Of The Act
- Obligations Under The Act
- Hierarchy Of Hazard Control
- Workers Health & Safety
- Risks Of UV Exposure
- Solar UV Hazards
- UV Control Measures
- Heat Exposure
- Use Of PPE
- Public Health & Safety
- Protecting The Public From UV
- Other Health Issues
- Safety Issue
Undersurfacing:
- Purposes & Terms
- The Purpose Of Undersurfacing
- Commonly Used Terms
- Edging
- Definitions
- Depth Calculation
- Ordering Loose Fill Softfall
Assessment for formal Qualification:
- One-on-one on site visual inspection
Operational Inspection Training
(National competency AHCPGD311 – Conduct operational inspection of park facilities)
Also referred to as Level 2 in the playground industry
Two-day training
The current definition for Operational Inspection in Playground Standards is “inspection, more detailed than routine visual inspection, to check the operation and stability of the equipment”.
The need to understand the functional design of playground equipment has been removed from this competency, so a detailed knowledge of playground design is no longer required of an Operational Inspector.
We still include training in the principles and many of the definitions covered by the Australian Playground Standards, so that the inspector can speak and report in terms the Standards use. We have also included the basic design issues associates with the specific equipment and soft fall covered in parts 2-6 of AS 4685:2021.
This course comprises 2 days in the training room delivering the theory and background knowledge required by an Operational Inspector, to provide training in the actual identification of hazards in playgrounds. Level 1 is Prerequisite to Level 2 training.
Attendees will have an opportunity to have a practical on-site assessment to receive the nationally recognized qualification – national competency AHCPGD311 – Conduct operational inspection of park facilities
Topics covered:
- Application Of Standards
- What Is Entrapment
- Protrusion Hazards
- Condition Of Playgrounds
- Structural Adequacy
- Asset Management Principles
- Visual Appearance
- What Is A Playground
- Easily Accessible Equipment
- Not Easily Accessible Equipment
- Unintended Access
- Identification Of Equipment
- Fall Heights
- Extent Of Impact Area
- Free Space
- Protection From Injury In Falling Space
- Moveable Playground Equipment
- Playground Safety Management System
- Standards for Swinging Apparatus
- Standards for Slides
- Standards For Cableways
- Standards For Carousels
- Standards For Rocking Equipment
Assessment for formal Qualification:
- One-on-one on site operational inspection
Functional Design Inspection Training
(Theory content required for all playground designers & playground installers and maintenance teams plus for national competency AHCPGD510 -Conduct comprehensive inspection of park facilities)
Also referred to as Level 3 in the playground industry
Two-day training
This training is delivered over 2 days in the training room with many photos of practical examples with a big focus on Entrapments and Design Criteria. See the matrix below which indicates who should and who is required to attend based on their role in your organisation.
Attendees will gain a more in-depth knowledge of what is and what is not in the Australian Playground Standards, the specific areas they relate to and design requirements for each type of play event. This will form the basis of understanding as to whether a piece of playground equipment conforms to the Australian Standards or not and what could be done to make it compliant.
This is why we recommend the Functional Design Training for play space designers, landscape architects and parks management staff, as well as it being required training for Annual Comprehensive Inspection trainees.
This will come with a 14-hour Professional Development certificate and wont have an assessment component.
Topics covered:
- Roles Of Design Knowledge
- Functional Design
- Entrapment Criteria
- Head Entrapment
- Finger, Foot, Leg Entrapment
- Moving Parts Pinch/Crush Points
- Access Criteria
- Grip & Grasp
- Barriers & Guard Railing
- Handrails
- Ropes & Chains
- Standards For Swings
- Types Of Swings
- Standards for Slides
- Standards For Runways
- Standards For Carousels
- Standards For Rocking Equipment
Annual Comprehensive Inspection Training
(National competency AHCPGD510 -Conduct Annual Comprehensive Inspection of park facilities)
Also referred to as Level 3 in the playground industry
Three-day training
An annual inspector must have an excellent working knowledge of all the content of current Australian Standards for playgrounds (including structural adequacy issues). When Standards change, it is important the Annual Comprehensive Inspector (also known as a level 3 inspector in some parts of the industry), updates their knowledge to stay abreast of what is current and what is not.
As the Australian Standards and their application is central to the function of an Annual Comprehensive Inspector, and as the national competency is set at Diploma level (ATQF 5), we expect the Annual Inspector to not only be able to handle the trade level physical inspection of playgrounds, but to manage the inspection process and the record keeping associated with it. This is a requirement of the national competency we are training to.
An Annual Comprehensive Inspector must be able to demonstrate competence in the entire list of the following table of topics, but must also be able to demonstrate the ability to search out and report on specific topics that may not be clearly delineated within the Standards, and provide the findings of that research in a clear written report. We achieve this outcome by setting individual assignments for the Annual Comprehensive Inspection trainee.
Topics covered:
Written Assessments:
- Research A Given Topic & Report
- Manage Playground Safety
Practical On Site Assessments:
- On Site Annual Comprehensive Inspection
Prerequisite for Training
In our experience, trainers traditionally provided very little actual Standards training in their Operational Inspection training courses. As a result Annual Inspection trainees will need to complete our Operational Inspection training in order to cover the areas of Standards in that course they may not have already been exposed to, and which are not covered in our two day Functional Design training course.
We are required to collect clear evidence that the trainee has the required background knowledge. Any previous training completed, through whichever organization that training was provided, will require proof of course content in order to be accepted as completed prerequisite training.
Prerequisites if training course is run on-site in your training room
Minimum Training Room Requirements:
Client is to supply a training room with whiteboard, data projector and screen, chairs and desks for trainees to sit at, morning tea, lunch, refreshments, tea and coffee facilities, etc.
For remote areas, we are happy to split the day trainer rate & travel, meals & accommodation between a number of organisations if you can combine locally.
Below fees do not include travel, meals or accommodation costs for our trainer for locations outside of the greater Brisbane area.
PIP will provide training materials for each attendee in the training course.
See the below table to find out which team members should be trained to which inspection level to have the highest level of competence in their roles.
Team Member Training Matrix
Recommended Training Matrix for Parks Staff
| Routine Visual | Operational | Functional Design | Annual |
All Workers in Council Parks | Recommended | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Playground Maintenance | Recommended | Required | Recommended | Not Required |
Playground Installation | Required | Required | Recommended | Not Required |
Operational L2 Inspector | Required | Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Annual L3 Inspector | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Parks Facilities Design | Not Required | Required | Required | Not Required |
Parks Management | Recommended | Recommended | Required | Recommended |
Landscape Architects | Not Required | Recommended | Required | Not Required |
Child Care Directors | Recommended | Recommended | Not Required | Not Required |
Child Care Daily Inspection | Required | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
Primary School BSM’s | Recommended | Recommended | Not Required | Not Required |
Primary School Grounds Daily Inspection Team | Required | Recommended | Not Required | Not Required |
Holiday Village & Resort Grounds Daily Routine Insp. | Required | Recommended | Not Required | Not Required |
Commercial Play and Fun Park Operators | Required | Required | Recommended | Not Required |
Hotels and Food Outlets with Play Facilities | Required | Recommended | Not Required | Not Required |
Pricing:
| Training Course | Practical assessment (excluding travel) | Combined Total | Extras |
Routine Visual Inspection Training Per Person | $410 + GST PP | $425 + GST PP | $835 + GST PP | PIP provide training room- $20-$50 PP Morning tea and lunch $55 PP |
Routine Visual Inspection Group Training 10-25 Trainees | $3000 (Trainer only 1 day) | $425 + GST PP $95 + GST PP (training materials) | Quote based on a group of 10- $8200 | PIP provide training room- $20-$50 PP Morning tea and lunch $55 PP |
Operational Inspection Training | $755 + GST PP | $495 + GST PP | $1180 + GST PP | PIP provide training room- $20-$50 PP Morning tea and lunch $110 PP |
Operational Inspection Group Training 9-25 Trainees | $6000 (Trainer only 2 days) | $495 + GST PP $95 + GST PP (training materials) | Quote based on a group of 10- $11200 | PIP provide training room- $20-$50 PP Morning tea and lunch $110 PP |
Routine Visual and Operational training combined | $1185 + GST PP | $795 + GST PP | $1940 + GST PP
| PIP provide training room- $30-$60 PP Morning tea and lunch $165 PP |
Routine Visual and Operational Group Training 8-25 Trainees | $9000 (Trainer only 3 days) | $795 + GST PP $95 + GST PP (training materials) | Quote based on a group of 10- $11200 | PIP provide training room- $30-$60 PP Morning tea and lunch $165 PP |
Functional Design Inspection Training (Professional development training- 14 hours) | $885 + GST PP | $55 + GST PP (training materials) | $940 + GST PP
| PIP provide training room- $20-$50 PP Morning tea and lunch $110 PP |
Functional Design Inspection Group Training 7-25 Trainees | $6000 (Trainer only 2 days) | $55 + GST PP (training materials) | Quote based on a group of 10- $6550 | PIP provide training room- $20-$50 PP Morning tea and lunch $110 PP |
Annual Comprehensive Inspection Training | $1185 + GST PP | $715 + GST PP | $1900 + GST PP | PIP provide training room- $30-$60 PP Morning tea and lunch $165 PP |
Annual Comprehensive Inspection Group Training 9-25 Trainees | $9000 (Trainer only 3 days) | $715 + GST PP $95 + GST PP (training materials) | Quote based on a group of 10- $16290 | PIP provide training room- $30-$60 PP Morning tea and lunch $165 PP |