TRF/Specific Vehicles/TBT-TRF-028

Protection of Children on Site

Traffic Management › Specific Vehicles › Protection of Children on Site

All Categories/Traffic Management/Specific Vehicles/Protection of Children on Site

Protection of Children on Site

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-TRF-028  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: April 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • Construction sites are extremely dangerous environments for children who may trespass or wander in.
  • The Occupiers' Liability Act 1984 places a higher duty of care towards child trespassers than adults.
  • Children cannot be expected to recognise or understand construction hazards the way adults do.
  • Drowning, falls, crush injuries, and electrocution are the main causes of child fatalities on sites.
  • Sites near schools, parks, housing, and public footpaths are at the highest risk of child trespass.
  • CDM 2015 requires the principal contractor to prevent unauthorised access to construction sites.
  • Child fatalities on construction sites attract major HSE investigation and media attention.
  • School holidays, weekends, and evenings are the highest risk periods for child trespass.
  • Social media dares and challenges have increased the number of children entering sites deliberately.
  • A construction company's moral duty to protect children goes beyond any legal minimum requirement.

Why?

Fatal consequencesChildren die on construction sites every year from drowning, falling, and being crushed by materials or plant.
Higher legal dutyThe Occupiers' Liability Act 1984 expects site operators to take extra precautions because children cannot assess danger.
Community trustProtecting neighbourhood children demonstrates that the construction industry takes community safety seriously.
DoDon't
  • Maintain secure perimeter fencing and hoarding in good condition at all times.
  • Lock all access gates and check them at the end of every shift without fail.
  • Cover or fence all open excavations, shafts, and water-filled voids completely.
  • Remove or chain ladders and secure scaffold access at the end of each day.
  • Immobilise all plant by removing keys and locking cabs when unattended.
  • Display child-friendly warning signs showing the dangers in simple visual terms.
  • Increase security during school holidays with additional patrols and checks.
  • Engage with local schools and community groups about construction site dangers.
  • Report any evidence of child trespass to the site manager immediately.
  • Brief all workers on the enhanced security measures during high-risk periods.
  • DON'T leave gates open or unlocked at any time, even during the working day.
  • DON'T ignore damaged or breached perimeter fencing — repair it immediately.
  • DON'T leave attractive items like scaffolding or rope accessible to climbing.
  • DON'T assume warning signs will stop children from entering the site.
  • DON'T leave water-filled excavations, tanks, or sumps uncovered at any time.
  • DON'T store chemicals, fuels, or hazardous materials in unlocked areas.
  • DON'T create informal shortcuts through the site that the public can follow.
  • DON'T leave keys in plant or machinery outside of active working hours.
  • DON'T underestimate the ability of children to climb fences and locked gates.
  • DON'T delay action after a trespass incident — strengthen security immediately.

See also: Schools Out Holiday Awareness | Site Security and Access Control
ebrora.com

RAMS Builder

Generate professional Risk Assessment and Method Statements in minutes. 10 document formats, site-specific content, instant Word download.

Learn More