06/08/2010 12:47 PM
As we head into the school holiday season, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued an alert over the dangers of children playing on building and construction sites.
Warning that such sites are not "adventure playgrounds", the alert is intended to educate both parents, children, and businesses about the risks posed.
A child died and 25 were injured on construction sites in 2008/09.
Businesses need to play their part too, the HSE said. Firms need to practice good safety management on their sites, which should include "good fencing to prevent public access and with regular checks carried out".
Philip White, the HSE's chief inspector of construction, said: "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.
"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."
In 2006/7, 30 children aged 15 and under were seriously injured in the construction sector, and one child died.
Warning that such sites are not "adventure playgrounds", the alert is intended to educate both parents, children, and businesses about the risks posed.
A child died and 25 were injured on construction sites in 2008/09.
Businesses need to play their part too, the HSE said. Firms need to practice good safety management on their sites, which should include "good fencing to prevent public access and with regular checks carried out".
Philip White, the HSE's chief inspector of construction, said: "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.
"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."
In 2006/7, 30 children aged 15 and under were seriously injured in the construction sector, and one child died.
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