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PLAYGROUND RELATED INJURIES
Statistics show that injury to students on school playgrounds and recreation areas is
a significant problem. However, many injuries could have been prevented by
identifying and correcting conditions prior to students use. Some examples include
entrapment hazards, play equipment or structures having sharp or pointed objects and
poorly maintained structures such as swing sets and climbing bars. Each year there are approximately 200,000 preschool
and elementary-aged children who receive emergency
medical care in the U.S. from injuries that occurred on
playground equipment. This means that a child requires
medical attention approximately every 2 1/2 minutes.
Public playground injuries, which include school
playgrounds, account for approximately 70% of all
playground equipment injuries. Falling to the surface is
the number one contributing factor in playground
injuries. Approximately 9 to 17 children die each year in
playground equipment-related accidents. Of these
deaths, strangulation accounts for 47%, while falls
account to another 31%. Playground injury is the
leading cause of injury to students ages 5 to 14 in
the school environment. The estimated cost of
playground injuries to children under age 15 was $1
billion in 1992. (Source: U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 1990-1994.) 1 of 5 8/2/99 11:16 PM School & Playground Safety Newsletter- Tacoma & Pierce County http://www.healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/FCS/SchoolNet1.html TWO SIMPLE PLAYGROUND SAFETY SUGGESTIONS
Discourage children from wearing clothing with neck strings and hoods when
using playground equipment. This can reduce the risk of accidental
strangulation. Check the playground surface material depth twice each year. Pea gravel can "concrete" or
solidify over time so that the effective depth of surface material is greatly reduced.
Rototilling solidified pea gravel can restore depth and cushioning ability. HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT VISITS
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department conducts health and safety assessment visits
without charge to assist your school staff in identifying and correcting health or safety
hazards and to make the educational environment a safe and hazard-free zone. Our School
Safety Specialist will visit your school, conduct a site evaluation, and provide your staff
with recommendations to improve areas relating to health and safety. Areas that are prone to having a variety of health and safety hazards include
the playground, gymnasium, classrooms, hallways, science and home
economics rooms, multipurpose rooms, mechanical rooms, and surrounding
areas adjacent to the school property. At the conclusion of each visit, the School Safety Specialist can advise your staff about the
results of the site visit and make recommendations to improve safety. Our goal is to work
directly with your staff to make your school as safe as possible. REQUESTING A SITE VISIT:
If you would like one of our staff to visit your school, please call us at (253) 798-6460 to
arrange a time. Our School Safety Specialist will visit your school and conduct the
assessment with your designated staff member and leave a copy of the evaluation with him
or her. TOXIC MOLDS IN SCHOOLS 2 of 5 8/2/99 11:16 PM School & Playground Safety Newsletter- Tacoma & Pierce County http://www.healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/FCS/SchoolNet1.html An increasing amount of reports relating to the presence of mold in schools in the U.S.
have prompted health warnings about the potential dangers of a type of mold called
Stachybotrys Chartarum (SC), also known as Stachybotrys Atra. Molds (fungi) are found everywhere both indoors and out. SC is
one of the molds that is associated with health effects in people, and
has been reported in schools around the country. Schools in the
Pacific Northwest, in particular, may provide ideal growth
conditions for Stachybotrys. SC thrives in wet conditions and
requires a substrate containing cellulose. Drywall, ceiling tiles,
wood, and paper are examples of substrates containing cellulose.
SC will not grow on concrete, ceramic or stone tiles, linoleum, glass
or metal. SC is a greenish-black mold often confused with other,
nontoxic molds. SC, however, is not a common mold found in
buildings. Typically, indoor air levels of SC are relatively low and therefore
not generally hazardous to health. At higher levels though, SC can cause asthma attacks,
respiratory allergies and skin rashes. Care should be taken to prevent skin contact with
Stachybotrys. In rare instances, the toxins may also cause young children, infants and the
immuno-compromised to experience chest congestion, nose bleeds, bleeding of the lungs
and even death. Therefore, it is imperative that the breathing of SC spores and particles be
avoided. SC growth may indicate a moisture problem, leak, or broken pipe. The moisture problem
must be corrected if cleanup activities are to be effective. Short of removing the medium
and conditions for mold growth, SC should be cleaned as soon as possible. CLEANUP STEPS FOR SC:
1. Use breathing protection when cleaning Stachybotrys or suspected Stachybotrys.
2. Use a common household bleach and water mix (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) to
clean it. Apply the bleach water to the surface with a sponge, and let it stand 15 minutes.
3. Then clean the surface with soapy water, rinse, and thoroughly dry the surface.
4. Dispose of any sponges and rags used to clean the mold. SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD 3 of 5 8/2/99 11:16 PM School & Playground Safety Newsletter- Tacoma & Pierce County http://www.healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/FCS/SchoolNet1.html The mission of the SAB is to assist the Health Department on industry
issues that affect the public health and safety in the school environment,
develop operational policies and procedures, promote positive
communication between schools and the Health Department, formulate
changes in financial policies, and develop a comprehensive strategic
plan. Membership is open to all administrative, teaching, and support staff for
all Pierce County schools, both public and private. The Board meets four times a year. The 1998-99 Board met in
November for a strategic planning session to outline activities for 1999; the next meeting is
scheduled for May 12, 1999. For more information about the Board or membership, please contact David DeLong at
798-6499. ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
The newsletter "SCHOOLNET" is published quarterly and is provided to all school staff in
Pierce County. The purpose of the newsletter is to establish a forum to share ideas,
initiatives, legislative and administrative changes, and health and safety issues impacting
our local schools. Articles or inquiries should be submitted to: TPCHD School Program,
3629 South D Street, MS012, Tacoma, Washington, 98408. This Website in an Internet
version of the printed newsletter. FREE SCHOOL SAFETY INTERNET NEWSLETTER
You can sign up for this Internet version of the printed publication by just entering your
e-mail address in the open box and then clicking on the "subscribe" button. Subscribe SCHOOL PROGRAM STAFF
Program Manager
Rick Porso..........................798-6417 4 of 5 8/2/99 11:16 PM School & Playground Safety Newsletter- Tacoma & Pierce County http://www.healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/FCS/SchoolNet1.html Program Specialists
David DeLong, EHS II........798-6499
Kevin Briske, EHS I............798-4754 Prevention Specialist
Diane Westbrook.................798-4754 Search Food & Community Safety
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