ASTM
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Reforming play equipment and surfacing Standards: a few thoughts
I think it fair to say that within the broad community of play advocates – play designers, landscape architects, play provision providers, pedagogues – play equipment and surfacing Standards have not been a hot topic of debate or contention. For some they were, and continue to be, a form of assurance as to the ‘safety’ Continue reading
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A renewed, misguided ASTM attempt to change surfacing standards, a Guardian editorial and risk-benefit assessment
‘Bicycle helmets save lives’ a Guardian editorial pointed out today (27.09.2016) referrencing recent Australian research. The editorial then posed the question: Should wearing cycle helmets be made compulsory? Now read on for the editorial’s succinct explication of a form of reasoning we have come to know as risk-benefit assessment. ‘From the point of view of Continue reading
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There is a link, I promise: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and play
I accept that at first blush it might seem odd to link words such as play, children, teenagers, risk-taking to the international trade talks currently being conducted between the European Union and the United States of America. But there is a link, and it is potentially a threatening one. The talks, known as the Transatlantic Continue reading
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ASTM and Surfacing Standards – back again, so organise
As you will see from Tim Gill’s blog – Playground Safety: Troubling New Move From ASTM – and the quote below, there appears to be a renewed attempt to amend ASTM surfacing standards, albeit in what looks like a surreptitious way. ‘Overall, the proposal appears to focus on how surfacing is safety-tested once it has Continue reading
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Standards: Time for reform?
It’s often hard to predict what will generate an active interest in an issue. The issue may have been around for a good deal of time, indeed may have been a source of worry or irritation but, somehow, the matter appears impenetrable, difficult to grasp. Such, arguably, is how many play provision providers have felt Continue reading
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A real and present danger to play provision
I need to alert readers to a real and present danger. Before proceeding, however, I enter a plea. A plea that you stick with this article despite the fact that the subject may – until now – have been a turn-off. I say again: I am about to speak about a real and present danger. Continue reading
About Me
This is Bernard Spiegal’s blog.
I write mainly about Palestine/Israel and related issues; sometimes other stuff too
Bernard Spiegal 