Risk Management in Recreation Programs,
Playground and Special Events

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This lecture is designed for safety managers and recreation professionals to increase awareness about methods for eliminating, addressing or managing risks inherent to recreation programs, playgrounds and special events. Prevention and safety will be emphasized, as well as responding to emergencies and ongoing reassessment of the risk management plan. This session will be presented by Dr. Nancy White; a member of PlaySafe, LLC's planning team. Dr. White has over 20 years experience working in the recreation field. She has worked in New Mexico for: the University of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, the City of Rio Rancho, Santa Fe Community College, Albuquerque T.V.I. Community College, and in California for: California State University, Fresno and California State University, Northridge.

This lecture covers items such as:

1. Safety and Prevention

a. Recreation Programs (staff trainings, transportation, policies & procedures, liability waivers & permission slips, and orientation for participants and/or parents)

b. Playground Supervision (supervising plan, age appropriateness, clothing, number of children, various age & ability levels within the group, number and location of supervisors, emergency action plan, and equipment and surfacing inspections)

c. Special Events (entertainment & amplified sound, food, beverages, alcohol service, attendance & admission procedures, affects on nearby businesses or homes, tents or canopies, stages and bleachers, fireworks, permits and licenses)

2. Responding to an Accident or Emergency

a. Communication Planning in advance
b. Policies and procedures
c. Communication
d. Equipment
e. First aid supplies
f. Training
g. Emergency Action Plan

3. Training, Evaluation, and Reassessment

a. Maintaining and upgrading certifications, in-service training, and staff & program evaluations, and ongoing reassessment of procedures, policies & readiness level

4. Continuous Improvement

(High expectations of quality, seek out better procedures, equipment, communication tools, training methods)

By utilizing the expertise of Samuel DeFillippo, PlaySafe, LLC is able to offer the Playground Seminars Series that combines written information with field experience. Many years of academic study and practical experience have made Mr. DeFillippo a rarity in the field of playground safety. PlaySafe, LLC seminars cover the logic behind the rules and regulations, as well as how they should be applied in daily operations. These courses are customized to meet your individual needs based on your actual equipment and situation. Seminars are conducted in a classroom setting and use lectures, presentation materials, safety videos, and question and answers sessions, combined with an onsite evaluation of a local playground site to ensure a quality learning experience.

Below is a list of courses that we currently offer:

1. Course One - Development of a Playground Maintenance /Risk Management Program
Training staff to the most current standards is often a difficult task. Often times, maintenance personnel are not properly instructed on playground equipment and how issues should be addressed. This seminar offers maintenance personnel an opportunity to learn about the following topics:
Why Have a Safe Playground?,
Common Playground Injuries,
Playground Safety,
What is Adequate Surfacing?,
Surfacing Compliance,
Playground Site,
Hazards vs. Risk,
Responsibility of an Owner/Operator,
Responsibility of the Installer,
Purchasing New Equipment,
Qualifying A Manufacturer, and
Choosing A Design.

2. Course Two - Preparation for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Course and Exam
It is not uncommon for someone who attends the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course to feel overwhelmed with the amount of information and the pressure of passing the exam. Information in this seminar reviews many of the previous CPSI tests and issues that are covered in the course and prepares attendees for the learning (or classroom) and testing environment. To help with the understanding of the written CPSI materials, seminar participants will have the opportunity to conduct an actual evaluation of a local playground.
The following texts are covered in the training:

Playground Safety Is No Accident,

NPSI Certification Course Safety Manual,

CPSC Handbook for Public Safety, Document Number 325, and

ASTM F1487-01.

3. Course Three - Supervision
Did you know that many playground injuries can be avoided? It's not usually the equipment or the surfacing that causes the injury, but how the equipment is used and the children's action on or near the playground. This seminar deals with:
The Types of Injuries from Equipment,

Playground Equipment Related Fatalities by Hazard,

Where are These Injuries Occurring?,

Types of Injuries from Hazards,

Supervisor Duties,

Surfacing,

Child Development Behavior and

Unseen Hazards.

4. Course Four - Defending Your Agency Against Playground Lawsuits
Coming Soon - In Conjunction with Eddie M. Gallegos, Attorney at Law.