Warning that construction sites aren't child's play

Date:

5 August 2010

Building sites are not adventure playgrounds...That is the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) message to parents and children as school holidays get well underway in Britain.

HSE is encouraging parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing on them, after one child died and 25 were injured on construction sites in 2008/09. Dozens more children are seriously injured on sites every year.

Companies are being reminded that sites should be secure, with good fencing to prevent public access and with regular checks carried out.

Philip White, 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.

"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.

"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."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related 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. www.hse.gov.uk
2. In 2006/7, 30 children aged 15 and under were seriously injured in the construction sector, and one died. In 2007/8, 28 children were seriously injured.
3. In 2009/10, 41 construction workers were killed at work.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office