@article{ref1,
title="Search for a Simple Means to Identify Dangerous Surfaces Under Play Equipment",
journal="Journal of safety research",
year="2000",
author="Robitaille, Yvonne and Laforest, Sophie and Lesage, D. and Dorval, D.",
volume="31",
number="1",
pages="29-34",
abstract="The instrument used to measure the capacity of material under playground equipment that absorbs the impact caused by a child falling on it is expensive and impractical when carrying out field experiments. This study compares results obtained by simple observation with those obtained from using such a device (Max-Hic). The goal was to ascertain whether visual inspection can assess a safe threshold of absorption (g-max n = 356 equipments). Based on visual inspection, 59% of surface materials were classified as non-compliant. However, only 21% of all surfaces had a g-max above 200 g. The g-max increases according to the height of equipment and the apparent compactness of the ground. Equipment exceeding 2 m had a mean g-max of 215 g on a compact surface compared to 163 g on a loose surface. In a context of scarce resources, the height of equipment and an obviously hard-packed surface are useful factors for identifying surfaces requiring more immediate attention.<p />",
language="en",
issn="0022-4375",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}