CPSI Liability Reduction 5

Question 1

A city contracts with a private company to design and install a new playground. A design defect causes injury. Who is most likely held liable?

Accepted Answer

The designer and installer may share liability with the city depending on the defect and contract terms

Answer

Liability in design defect cases may extend to all parties involved in the design, approval, and installation chain.

Question 2

Which best practice reduces liability exposure when a playground must remain open during a repair period for a non-critical defect?

Accepted Answer

Document the hazard, cordon off the affected equipment, and set a documented repair deadline

Answer

Isolating the defective equipment and documenting both the hazard and the repair plan demonstrates active risk management.

Question 3

A CPSI discovers that a playground surfacing material has compressed below required impact attenuation depth. What is the primary liability implication if no action is taken?

Accepted Answer

The owner has actual knowledge of a foreseeable fall hazard, dramatically increasing negligence exposure

Answer

Inadequate impact attenuation directly increases the severity of fall injuries, and knowing about it without acting constitutes actual notice of a known hazard.

Question 4

What is the legal significance of a CPSI maintaining their certification currency (continuing education, recertification)?

Accepted Answer

It demonstrates the inspector's competence is current, strengthening the credibility of their inspection as a defense document

Answer

A current certification shows the inspector's knowledge reflects up-to-date standards, giving their reports greater weight as evidence of reasonable care.

Question 5

Which approach best demonstrates a 'reasonable playground owner' standard when purchasing new equipment?

Accepted Answer

Specifying ASTM F1487-compliant equipment, reviewing safety data sheets, and requiring certified installation

Answer

Requiring ASTM compliance, reviewing safety documentation, and using certified installation reflects the due diligence expected of a reasonable owner.

CPSI - Certified Playground Safety Inspector Practice Test

CPSI - Certified Playground Safety Inspector Practice Test

CPSI Liability Reduction 5