In an initiative by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), warning has been issued to construction firms with respect to conducting regular checks at their sites to ensure that they are not accessible to the public, even if this summer witnesses no work at the site. These instructions have come in the wake of the fact that every year dozens of children get grievously hurt at construction sites.
HSE also acknowledged the increased threat this year due to several stalled construction projects given the economic downturn, which in turn has left potentially risky worksites open to children, who love exploring such sites, as there is no one to prevent them from entering.
Jeanette Reuben, HSE Head of Operations for Construction in Scotland, said that she understands that children need to play outside, but emphasizes on the need to look out for their safety, especially in dangerous places like a construction site, especially abandoned ones. According to Reuben, construction sites should be properly fenced and should be periodically checked so that children do not have any access.
HSE is also asking construction companies to properly secure the insides of their sites and ensure that any potentially dangerous material including scaffolding, weak surfaces, electric wires, construction materials etc. is locked in safe custody at the end of work every day. Where the site is not operational, the workers should ensure that all materials like ladders, etc are removed, making it difficult for children to trespass. Health and safety training is essential; for managers and supervisors, a NEBOSH Distance learning course from Workplace Law offers a unique web-based training platform that leads to the award of the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.
Construction managers and workers should conduct regular building site safety checks so that any lapses in the security of the site are identified and rectified. Moreover, they should stall work if they find children trying to get in to the site.
