|
20 June 2006 - HSE's Child Safety Reminder
Navigation
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is offering its support to Child Safety
Week (19 -25 June) by reminding the construction industry and parents to be
alert to the dangers faced by children playing on or near building sites during
school summer holidays.
Stephen Williams, Chief Inspector of Construction commented:
"Long summer evenings are a time for fun and adventure, unfortunately, all
too often it can also be a time of tragedy. Understandably some children
are drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play, but they are not
playgrounds and playing on them can have fatal consequences. Industry and
parents need to work together to ensure children's safety."
Three children died and 235 were injured between 2001/02 and 2004/05 during
construction works where simple precautions would have prevented the incidents
ever happening.
The HSE has issued the following practical advice for parents and workers
which will help keep children safe 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
Child Safety Week is organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust, a
national charity devoted to preventing accidental injuries to children.
Further information on Child Safety Week can be found by clicking the
following link:
Child Accident Prevention Trust: Child Safety Week
 Click Here to
Email This Article To a Friend
|
