“Without proper precautions, construction sites are dangerous places for those who work on them day in day out, never mind the risks to children who simply see them as exciting playgrounds and don’t understand the dangers,” said Philip White, HSE’s chief inspector of construction. “Of course we want children to make the most of their summer holidays by enjoying the outdoors, but building sites are not the place to do it. We need parents to help this message hit home.”
One child died and 25 others were injured on construction sites in 2008/09, according to HSE. Dozens more children are seriously injured on sites every year.
Secure Sites
HSE also reminded companies that sites should be secure with good fencing to prevent public access. These sites should be checked regularly to ensure they are secure.
“Construction managers should check their sites are secure, and in areas where children live and play, they should ensure that risks to children are properly controlled,” White stressed.
The Health and Safety Executive is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.