The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is calling on the construction industry to prevent children from accessing construction sites during the school holiday period, to stop children being injured or worse, in pursuit of innocent fun and curiosity.
Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety is reminding construction site controllers that they have a duty to do everything possible to keep children out of the sites and away from danger.
The school holiday period serves as a timely reminder that site security is not only a legal responsibility but a vital part of protecting local communities, especially when schools are closed and children have more free time to be outside.
The HSE outlines the following specific steps particularly relevant to child safety:
* Where necessary, reflect the nature of the site and the surrounding area, ensure suitable perimeter fencing or hoarding is erected.
* Regularly check and review site security to ensure fencing or hoarding is maintained and kept in good order.
* Secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day.
* Barrier off or cover over excavations and pits.
* Isolate and immobilise vehicles and plant and if possible, lock them in a compound.
* Store building materials (e.g. pipes, manhole rings, and cement bags) so that they cannot topple or roll over.
* Remove access ladders from excavations and scaffolds.
* Lock away hazardous substances.
The HSE’s Head of Construction Sector, Mike Thomas, said: “Construction site managers should check their sites are secure, and in areas where children live and play, they should remain vigilant and ensure that the risks to children are properly controlled.
“Construction sites are places of work and contain numerous hazards, all of which can pose a dangerous threat to anyone entering without permission. Clients and contractors must ensure that unauthorised access onto sites is prevented, both during and outside working hours.”
