The ergonomics of children in playground equipment safety

INTRODUCTION: Annually, some 200,000 U.S. children require hospital emergency room treatment from injuries suffered on playground equipment. Most of these injuries (70%) are the result of falls. While standards for protective surfacing within the play zone areas are very adequate, standards for the prevention of falls are very inadequate. "Climbers" are responsible for the greatest percentage of injuries with most of these injuries the result of falls. Current standards are woefully lacking in regard to these climbers. METHOD: This paper reviews the history of climber research and climber standards. RESULTS: It then presents recommendations for improved standards in this area based on the ergonomics of the users, children.