A developer has issued a warning over the dangers of construction sites. Redrow Homes currently has developments across West Sussex, including Barnham, which are set to continue through the summer. Construction director Martin Jenkins said: “We always ensure clear signage and warnings are visible, yet children are often still drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play.” He stressed the ‘severe consequences’ which could result from machinery or materials coming ‘into the hands of children’. And added: “The good weather and light evenings during the summer holidays present an ideal opportunity for a timely reminder to children and parents about the dangers of construction sites – many of which will continue to remain active throughout the summer. “We see many more children playing outdoors at this time so we would appeal to parents to check that children know the risks and stay well away from active building sites as much as possible.” In a statement Redrow cited statistics including that ‘in the UK, two to three children die every year on construction sites’. Quoting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it added ‘more than 80 children have been seriously injured in building site accidents since 2006. The worst period over the past five years was 2013/14, when there were 31 reported accidents’. Redrow Homes, along with their construction safety mascots, Buster and Buddy, have been visiting schools across the country to provide safety talks directly to youngsters and teachers about health and safety. Redrow Homes’ new selection of homes, Ashdown Vale, sits between Chichester and Arundel and forms part of the ‘Six Villages’ which also include Yapton, Walberton, Eastergate, Fontwell and Westergate.
Buster and Buddy has issued a warning to children and parents about the ‘severe consequences’ of playing on construction sites, as 2006 weather may encourage some children to venture towards these dangerous zones. Redrow has been visiting schools with its mascots, Redrow Homes , to provide teachers and children with safety information. Since the summer , three children have been severely injured after venturing on to these sites.