NICON delivers safety messages to 5,000 schoolchildren

The highly successful “Play Safe Stay Safe” campaign, run by the Northern Ireland Construction Health & Safety Group (NICON), has finally delivered its safety message to its 5,000 schoolchild.

Speaking at the presentation Brian Goodfellow, Chairman of NICON said: “Over the last five years three children have been killed in construction related accidents in Northern Ireland and many more have been injured. These figures are not acceptable. We must strive to change children’s perceptions that building sites are playgrounds.

“Since the launch of ‘Play Safe Stay Safe’ we have delivered the Safety Sam message to 5,000 schoolchildren. We will continue to work hard to achieve our target of 20,000.

“I would like to urge anyone who is associated with schools or construction sites to contact NICON for a ‘Play Safe Stay Safe’ package. This contains all the necessary information to deliver a short presentation, summarising the main dangers of construction sites in a friendly and fun way.”

John Francey, Chief Inspector of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) added: “The HSENI is very keen to see the construction industry being proactive. This campaign is directed at the future generation. It will help them to understand the very real dangers of today’s construction sites and emphasise the need to be aware of health and safety both now and as they become adults. I would commend this campaign to all schools and contractors and encourage them to become involved.” (MB)