Construction managers in Scotland are being reminded to secure their sites to reduce the risks of accidents during the Christmas shut-down.

The warning comes from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which has had to investigate after members of the public have been killed or injured in a range of incidents, such as those resulting from material being blown off site, scaffolding collapsing or children gaining access to poorly protected sites.

In the past five years, 26 members of the public have been killed and almost a thousand have been injured in construction-related incidents across Great Britain.

HSE Principal Inspector John Blackburn commented:

"Before closing the site for the holiday, contractors should carry out checks to ensure loose material is secure and scaffolding is properly supported. It should be checked particularly after bad weather.

"Children often see poorly guarded sites as playgrounds, so contactors should do all they can to help prevent them gaining access in the first place. They should also ensure that potentially dangerous areas such as deep excavations are secure.

"Should the site be closed for a significant period, it may be sensible to arrange for regular checks to take place to ensure that the site remains safe and secure."

Source: Safety Media Ltd

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