06 June 2002

HSENI warn construction sites are not playgrounds

The death of a five-year-old boy in a recent accident on a construction site in Larne serves to highlight the hidden dangers of construction sites and other hazardous workplaces over the summer months, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has warned.

During the last five years, three children have died on construction sites in Northern Ireland, with a further ten accidents having been reported to HSENI. In the same period, eleven children have died as a result of farm accidents.

As a result of these deaths HSENI has voiced their concern in advance of Child Safety Week, which runs from June 17 - 21.

Ken Logan, Head of HSENI's Construction Group said: "Contractors must send out a clear message to their workers to watch for children playing around building sites. If workers see children, they need to stop work and make sure the children are in a safe place before work is resumed. Sites must be secured when work is finished for the day and materials on site safely stored.

"Construction machinery presents an enormous attraction to children and it is essential that contractors ensure that plant is parked in a safe manner and that vehicles are locked and immobilised. We must all act to bring an end to this mid-summer madness."

The HSENI has embarked on a programme of visits to schools across Northern Ireland and has issued a warning to parents, contractors and farm owners which reads: "Stop children using workplaces as adventure playgrounds".

(MB)