Tough being a dad

**Tiger** · 30th August 2006, 12:02 PM

Dear all,

My daughter who is in kindergarden came home and with sad expressive eyes said that some of the playground equipment could not be used. Looking into it further she referred to a ladder that the kids climbed onto in order to reach another bit of equipment. The ladder has a rung that has a small crack in it, enough to flex it about an inch and render it dangerous.

My daughter says my daddy can fix it and out comes the teacher who says it would be great if we could get it back out into the playground again. So what was I supposed to do? After all that I take it home and think I'll take the rung out and replace with some dowel that I have except none of the stuff I have is the right diameter. There are screws at each end of the stiles that are countersunk and simply turning the screws does very little (in most cases the screws seem to have lost their bite), the slot hole is full of varnish/paint and seems very shallow so much so that it's hard to get the screwdriver started. I can't get the hacksaw into create a new slot and not sure that would help anyway.

Now here's the question. The crack is not too bad, I could glue it together and sand it down and noone would know, except kids are going to be playing on it. The dowel rungs are at least an inch thick (and about 2 feet long) so fairly strong. I'm assuming that this not an option because of the potential danger. Other option is to take the thing apart and try and replace the rung which is going to be a bigger job then I expected. What would you do? I'm glad she's going to school next year.

**bennylaird** · 30th August 2006, 12:17 PM

Your just starting, think of all the fun you will have over the years supporting kinder, school, sports clubs, whatever.

If it was me, I'd do the full job and have the kids playing safe. They need the help from where ever they can get it as funding never goes far.

**Bleedin Thumb** · 30th August 2006, 12:18 PM

Be very careful that the ladder in question complies to the relevant standards for playgroungs especially AS 4685.1 2004. IF it doesnt tell them and give them a quote to replace it.
I got a call from my sons's kindy after school care last night telling me I owed them $14 because a couple of weeks ago I was 20min late picking him up and he was sent to afterschool care to wait for me. this is the same afterschool care that I had bjust completed a couple of hundred dollars worth of work NO CHARGE!!!
Was I off? you bet.
By the way treated pine is banned for use in playgrounds.
Tony

**bennylaird** · 30th August 2006, 12:30 PM

Aren't the legalities fun? Best to return the ladder and let them deal with it.

**Bleedin Thumb** · 30th August 2006, 12:51 PM

Benny,
It does cause a dilemma between civic duty and economic practicalities.
I find it particularly annoying as I'm a playground designer/contractor (amongst other things) so both the school and daycare centre's my kids attend love me to "get involved" but to me its unpaid work that never is reciprocated in a quid pro quo manner. It makes me feel like I'm a mean old bugger but I know from experience that these people always seem to come up with the extra money when previously they were crying poor.
Ie they will use you to acheive their objectives so why do I still volunteer my services

**HappyHammer** · 30th August 2006, 12:59 PM

Why not glue and clamp the rung then screw a strip of metal opposite one another to stregthen it.

alternatively call your lawyer and ask him what your next step should be, all this legal ######## really pisses me off:mad:

HH.

**Bleedin Thumb** · 30th August 2006, 01:09 PM

Yeah your right about the legal stuff. Playground equipment is governed by so many safety standards its not funny. I guess they are there so people don't go and do things like SCREWING PEICES OF METAL ON LADDER RUNGS :eek: :eek: :eek:

**silentC** · 30th August 2006, 01:25 PM

Whether or not you are going to fix it is up to you.

If you decide to, and the sides of the ladder are timber and there is enough meat in them, I would cut the old rung in half and knock it out. Then I would drill through one side same diameter as the rung then insert a new one and glue and pin it.

Otherwise, you'll have to pull it apart and rebuild it. Bit hard to say without actually seeing it.

**RufflyRustic** · 30th August 2006, 02:51 PM

Do what you are already doing. Considering the children's safety and whether it is worth repairing or replacing. Present all info to the centre and let them make the decision as it will then be their responsibility.
eg
I can repair it but did you consider this aspect and that aspect....

Good Luck
Wendy

**HappyHammer** · 30th August 2006, 02:53 PM

Wendy you are so wise....

HH.

**bennylaird** · 30th August 2006, 02:58 PM

Not just a pretty foot?

**RufflyRustic** · 30th August 2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks but no, I really can't take credit for this. Had a similar situation at work recently so am simply passing on the suggestion my boss gave me.

cheers
Wendy

**HappyHammer** · 30th August 2006, 03:53 PM

Oh Wendy.....

I'm sure Benny will forgive you...:eek:

HH.

**RufflyRustic** · 31st August 2006, 09:34 AM

Definitely not just a 'pretty foot', I think I've given Benny enough for a while

**bennylaird** · 31st August 2006, 09:36 AM

Yep, too much and my dicky ticker might play up...

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