CPSI Hazard Identification and Assessment Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CPSI inspector is evaluating a tot-lot swing bay. One swing has a hard plastic bucket seat, and another has a full-bucket toddler seat with a crotch restraint. Which assessment is correct?
- Both seats are appropriate for 2-5 year olds
- The hard plastic bucket seat is not recommended for toddlers under 2 (Correct answer)
- Full-bucket seats are only appropriate for children with disabilities
- Hard plastic seats are prohibited in all tot-lot areas
Correct answer: The hard plastic bucket seat is not recommended for toddlers under 2
Hard plastic bucket seats are appropriate for ages 2-5, while full-bucket seats with crotch restraints are designed for children under 2 who cannot independently support themselves.
Question 2: What is the primary concern when a CPSI inspector identifies standing water pooling beneath playground equipment after rainfall?
- Aesthetic concern only; it does not affect safety
- Indicates possible drainage failure that may compromise loose-fill surfacing depth and impact attenuation (Correct answer)
- Creates a drowning hazard if water exceeds 2 inches in depth
- Only a hazard during winter freeze-thaw cycles
Correct answer: Indicates possible drainage failure that may compromise loose-fill surfacing depth and impact attenuation
Standing water displaces loose-fill surfacing and can compress engineered wood fiber, reducing critical fall height protection.
Question 3: During hazard identification, which condition on a slide would be classified as a burn hazard rather than a fall hazard?
- A slide with a 50-degree angle of incline
- A metal slide exposed to direct sunlight in summer months (Correct answer)
- A slide with a cracked surface at the midpoint
- A slide exit with a 2-inch drop to the ground
Correct answer: A metal slide exposed to direct sunlight in summer months
Metal slides can reach temperatures exceeding 150°F in direct sunlight, creating a significant burn hazard distinct from fall risks.
Question 4: A CPSI inspector finds a chain-link fence surrounding a playground with a top rail that has an exposed, open pipe end at 48 inches height. What hazard does this represent?
- Entanglement hazard if a child's clothing catches the rail
- Impalement hazard requiring a protective cap or closure (Correct answer)
- Fall hazard if a child uses the fence as climbing equipment
- No hazard as long as the fence is structurally sound
Correct answer: Impalement hazard requiring a protective cap or closure
Open-ended hollow pipes can act as impalement hazards if a child falls onto them, requiring protective caps per safety guidelines.
Question 5: When measuring the critical fall height (CFH) of an elevated platform, from which point is the measurement taken?
- From the highest point a child can reach while standing on the platform
- From the platform surface to the ground below (Correct answer)
- From the top of the guardrail to the ground below
- From the bottom of the platform structure to the ground
Correct answer: From the platform surface to the ground below
Critical fall height is measured from the platform surface where a child stands to the ground or protective surfacing below.
Question 6: A CPSI inspector observes a merry-go-round with a 4-inch gap between the rotating platform edge and a stationary center post. What type of hazard does this represent?
- Entrapment hazard — the gap can trap a child's head or neck
- Shear/crush hazard — body parts can be caught between moving and stationary components (Correct answer)
- Fall hazard — children may slip off the rotating platform
- No hazard if the equipment is within the age-appropriate range
Correct answer: Shear/crush hazard — body parts can be caught between moving and stationary components
Gaps between moving and stationary components create shear and crush hazards where limbs or fingers can be trapped and injured.
Question 7: Which condition would cause a CPSI inspector to classify loose-fill wood chips as providing INADEQUATE impact attenuation?
- The chips are natural hardwood rather than softwood
- The depth measures 9 inches but the critical fall height is 12 feet (Correct answer)
- The chips have been in place for more than 6 months
- The chips have an organic smell indicating fresh material
Correct answer: The depth measures 9 inches but the critical fall height is 12 feet
ASTM F1292 requires surfacing depth adequate for the equipment's critical fall height; 9 inches of wood chips is insufficient for a 12-foot CFH.
CPSI Hazard Identification and Assessment Questions and Answers 4
A CPSI inspector is evaluating a tot-lot swing bay.
One swing has a hard plastic bucket seat, and another has a full-bucket toddler seat with a crotch restraint.
Which assessment is correct?