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- Talk
- Canada
Paediatric Elbow Fractures: Public Playground Equipment Does Not Meet the Safety Standard
Description
In this presentation, Anthony Cooper discusses a study examining supracondyle fractures of the humerus, particularly in children, and their relation to playground equipment. Cooper starts by acknowledging his co-authors from the BC Injury Prevention Unit and outlines the significant impact of these fractures on hospital admissions and surgical interventions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding injury mechanisms to inform best practices and prevention policies.
The study aims to analyze circumstances surrounding these fractures occurring in public playgrounds and to determine compliance of the implicated equipment with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) guidelines. Using a pragmatic approach, patients were engaged in identifying the relevant play structures via interviews and the use of Google Maps, which replaced the initial complex method involving Geotag cameras.
The research identified specific types and dimensions of play structures involved in injuries, with a focus on upper body equipment such as monkey bars. The data revealed that a significant percentage of injuries occurred due to standard non-compliance, particularly regarding surface depth and fall heights. Cooper notes that a vast majority of the injuries involved play structures that did not meet safety standards, raising concerns about the enforcement of these guidelines.
Finally, he calls for engagement with municipal and school authorities to address identified deficiencies, stressing the need for children to safely enjoy play, including the element of risk, without compromising their safety. The presentation highlights an urgent need for revisions in safety standards to mitigate injury risks for children on playgrounds.