Health and Safety Executive (North West)
"construction sites are not holiday playgrounds" warns HSE in Greater Manchester
As the school holiday have kicked in, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning Greater Manchester school children and their parents to be aware of construction sites and not to treat them as playgrounds.
Between 2001/02 and 2005/06, three children died and the HSE were notified of at least 281 injuries to children during construction works. In most cases, simple precautions could have prevented the incidents from ever happening.
Health and Safety Executive Principal Inspector for Construction in Greater Manchester Anna Bliss said:
"Let's ensure that long summer evenings remain a time for fun and adventure for Greater Manchester children and not a time of tragedy because children have, understandably, been drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play."
"Construction sites can be a dangerous attraction for children. The dangers are numerous and varied, including scaffolding; reversing vehicles; electrical power supplies; ladders; and falling equipment.
"Access to construction sites should be restricted and risks should be assessed by site managers to ensure that untoward incidents are prevented. The consequences could be awful and even life threatening."
HSE has made a number of visits to schools to drive home its safety messages and offers the following practical advice for parents and workers this summer:
* warn children against playing in dangerous areas, including building sites;
* make sure you know where your children are going, and when they will be back;
* encourage them to play only in safe areas such as playgrounds;
* workers should watch out for children playing around sites. If you see children, stop work and make sure they are off site before you begin again;
* lay heavy objects on the ground or fix them firmly upright so they cannot fall onto children and injure them;
* secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day;
* never allow children to ride in construction plant machinery.
Anyone wishing to find out more about construction site safety should telephone their nearest HSE office: in Manchester on 0161 952 8200; Preston on 01772 826000, or Carlisle on 01228 634100.
Public enquiries: HSE's InfoLine: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG
HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet http://www.hse.gov.uk/
Issued on behalf of HSE by Government News Network North West.
