RPII News
News: May 2011: RPII achieves Awarding Body recognition by Ofqual. More: -
RPII launches: Play Inspector Finder
To help play providers find play safety inspectors, hold down costs and stay 'green', the Register of Play Inspectors (RPII) has added, ‘Find Your Nearest Inspectors’ to its website at www.playinspectos.com Visitors simply type in their full postcode, click ‘Search’ and all of the relevant RPII UK play inspectors are listed in mileage sequence from the chosen postcode. Now play providers, who often phone to find a play inspector, can check when it suits them at any time of day - and it is free.
See menu for (or click) Find Nearest Inspectors
Commenting on the RPII’s new ‘Inspector Finder’, chairman, John Simmons said, “We want to help play operators and play inspectors keep travel costs down and be as environmentally responsible as possible. It also is part of the RPII’s work with Indoor Play Forum associates, the Play Providers Association (PPA) and the Association of Play Manufacturers (API) to work jointly to assist indoor play operators.”
The RPII website lists UK play safety inspectors who are routinely examined to confirm their competence to conduct annual safety inspections and post-installation inspections on new build for outdoor play providers, indoor play operators and inflatable play suppliers. RPII Becomes the UK’s Play Safety Awarding Organisation
Contact: Association Administrator: Noel Harris: 024 7669 3787 or rpii@playinspectors.com
RPII Top Tips to avoid costs & make Outdoor Play Equipment last
RPII Outdoor Annual Play Safety Inspectors offer cost-saving advice and top tips based on their vast daily experience of conducting annual safety inspections. They say: “Have a proper, regular inspection regime and ensure all inspections are undertaken by competent people. Repair early and maintain as necessary. Timely low-cost action now may save accidents, prevent equipment failure and excessive costs at a later date." More ...
Inspect your Inspector says Schools Survey
Survey shows schools unsure if play safety inspector qualified.
In a recent pilot survey on behalf of the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII), Hamilton House found that the majority of headteacher and administrator respondents knew play areas and play equipment should be subjected to an annual safety inspection by a suitably competent person. However, from the question, “Who undertakes such inspections”, there was an interesting array of answers, Hamilton House reports.
About one quarter said it was done by someone from their Local Authority but fewer than a quarter said this very important safety inspection was carried out by an appropriately qualified RPII Inspector. Over one-third of respondents ticked the “Other Inspectors” box which included the school caretaker, site manager or a private contractor or the equipment contractor. Rather worryingly, a significant number stated that they had “No Idea”.
Of course, many of these “inspectors” will have had some basic training in carrying out daily or weekly inspections, and a number, particularly from the commercial sector, will be fully trained and competent RPII annual level inspectors. However it is extremely unlikely that school caretakers or other local authority staff will be trained to annual level competency, and they should not be asked to carry out such important inspections.
Implications
In the event of an accident Health and Safety Executive inspectors and insurers will want to examine the annual safety inspection report, and if has not been completed by an RPII Annual Inspector it may be deemed invalid. All RPII inspectors are qualified and certificated competent to carry out a range of inspection but only Annual Level RPII inspectors should undertake annual inspections or post installation inspections on new build or refurbished play areas. There is a list of certificated RPII Annual Inspectors at
www.playinspectors.com/RPII-Inspectors
The Register of Play Inspectors (RPII) will also be on hand to answer questions at Playfair on 22-23 June at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry where there is ample free parking and free entry. More: www.playfairuk.com
HSE Response regarding Health and Safety in Childrens Play Areas
Letter from Cameron Adam, HM Principal Inspector of Health and Safety clarifying the HSE position on Health and Safety in Childrens Play Areas. -Click on link HSE Playground Inspections.pdf