A lesson in site safety for Swindon kids

As the school half term approaches and children look for things keep them entertained, George Wimpey has been warning pupils at St Francis C of E Primary School in Swindon of the dangers of playing near construction sites.

Bob Prince, production manager for George Wimpey, visited the school on Wednesday 20th May to give a talk to pupils aged eight to eleven about the potential hazards found on construction sites. He showed them a site safety DVD and let them try on safety equipment worn by construction workers including hard hats, goggles, high visibility jackets and ear protectors.

Bob said: “We work hard to make our sites as safe as possible and follow strict guidelines laid down by the Health and Safety Executive. Unfortunately, some children see construction sites, and particularly the machinery, as playgrounds. I hope that if children are bored, and looking for somewhere to play during the holidays, they will remember the potential hazards I’ve talked to them about today and keep away.”

Statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive show that in the last 10 years 10 children have died on construction sites and more than 600 others have been injured in the UK, prompting George Wimpey to educate children about the hazards before the school holidays.

Clive Westall, headteacher at St Francis C of E Primary School, added: “With the half term holiday around the corner and the long summer holiday not long after that, it’s vital that the children know of the dangers of playing near construction sites. Bob’s presentation communicated the safety message in a fun and educational way that the children could relate to.”

The following practical advice for parents and construction workers from the Health and Safety Executive will also 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.

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