Are You Properly Covered for Playground Work?

Are You Properly Covered for Playground Work?

What every landscaper needs to know about insurance and playgrounds installations

As landscaping businesses expand their service offerings, many are now taking on projects that involve playground installations, upgrades, or maintenance. While this type of work can be a natural extension of outdoor construction, it also brings additional responsibilities and insurance considerations that are often overlooked.

This article outlines some key points to be aware of if your work involves, or may involve, any elements of a playground environment.

Playground Work Involves Unique Risks

Playground areas are classified as public-use spaces, often designed for children, which changes the liability landscape significantly. Even routine landscaping activities can intersect with higher-risk components such as:

• soft-fall and impact-absorbing surfaces
• edging or borders around equipment
• ground preparation for structures
• retaining walls or drainage in play zones
• synthetic turf or rubber surfacing
• maintenance of equipment or surrounding areas

Because injuries in playgrounds often involve children, claims can be more complex and carry longer-tail liability exposure. This makes it important for contractors to understand how their insurance responds to this type of work.

The Assumption That "Landscaper Insurance Covers It"

A common misconception is that general landscaper insurance automatically includes playground-related activities. In practice, many policies:

• exclude installation of fixed play equipment
• restrict work carried out in schools, childcare centres, or public parks
• limit cover for surfacing, edging, or work in fall zones
• or require specific disclosure before providing cover for these activities

Insurers often treat playground work differently because of the increased potential for injuries and the wider compliance obligations associated with public-use structures.

When a Landscaper Might Be Considered Part of the Chain of Responsibility

Even if you're not the principal playground installer, you may still be exposed to liability if your work contributes to the safety of the space. Examples include:

• installing or modifying the ground surface
• preparing the base for equipment installed by another contractor
• conducting maintenance within a playground area
• carrying out drainage or structural work near equipment
• performing general landscaping within designated fall zones

If an injured party alleges that any part of your work contributed to the incident, you could be included in a claim. This is why having clarity around your policy coverage is so important.

What Contractors Should Review in Their Insurance

If your work touches playground environments in any way, it may be worth confirming the following:

1. Does your Public Liability policy include playground-related activities

Check for exclusions relating to:

• play equipment installation
• public-use structures
• school or childcare environments
• soft-fall or rubber surfacing
• work above a certain height or depth

2. Have all relevant activities been disclosed?

Insurers generally require contractors to disclose:

• installation
• surfacing
• maintenance
• excavation
• site preparation
• work in public-use areas

Undisclosed activities can lead to gaps in cover.

3. Are subcontractors covered?

If you use subcontractors for specialised elements - such as equipment installation or surfacing - it's important to understand:

• whether they are covered under your policy
• whether they must provide their own insurance
• how claims involving subcontractors are handled

4. Does your Contract Works or Tools/Plant cover extend to these activities?

Playground construction and refurbishment often involve specialised materials, site risks, and equipment that may need to be specifically insured.

Why This Matters for Growing Landscaping Businesses

Many contractors begin with small landscaping projects and gradually expand into larger outdoor developments, community spaces, or school upgrades. As the scope of work grows, so does the complexity of the risk.

Being aware of how playground-related work interacts with your insurance helps ensure you're protected as your business evolves - and avoids surprises in the event of a claim.

If You're Unsure, Seek Professional Advice

If there's any uncertainty about how your insurance responds to playground-related activities, consider reviewing your policy or seeking advice from a broker familiar with this type of work.

Understanding what is included, and what isn't, can make a significant difference in managing your liability and protecting your business.

Click here to learn more about how we can help

Find this article helpful? Click on one of the links below to share the content.