CAST-IN-SITU RUBBER FLOOR MATS FOR HDB PLAYGROUNDS

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang asked the Minister for National Development if he will consider recommending to the Housing and Development Board (HDB) that, in view of our children's safety, to turf all the playgrounds of the future HDB estates with the cast-in-situ EPDM flooring - a rubber-like surface which cushions a fall better than the sand based material.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Some Town Councils have replaced the sand pits in their existing playgrounds with rubber flooring for easier maintenance. HDB has therefore written to all Town Councils on 4th August 1997 asking them to indicate their choice of flooring for new playgrounds so that new playgrounds can be provided with the Town Councils' preferred flooring. This will cut down on unnecessary wastage. So far, all the Town Councils who have responded prefer the cast-in-situ rubber floor mats. HDB will therefore provide such flooring for the new playgrounds built within the boundaries of these Town Councils.