SURFACE-SPECIFIC FALL INJURY RATES ON UTAH SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS

The purpose of this study was to estimate surface-specific rates of fa ll injuries on school playgrounds. Playground injuries related to fall s from climbing equipment and the surfaces involved were identified fr om injury reports for 1988 to 1990 from 157 Utah elementary schools. E nrollment data and playground inspections were used to estimate studen t-years spent over each surface. The fall injury rates per 10 000 stud ent-years were asphalt, 44; grass, 12; mats, 16; gravel, 15; and sand, 7. These data did not show that impact-absorbing surfaces reduce fall injuries on playgrounds better than grass. Improved field studies are needed to guide policy decisions for playground surfacing.