Let Children Find Adventure in Playgrounds Not Construction Sites

With the summer holidays almost over it’s worth reminding the construction industry and parents to be alert and aware of the dangers faced by children playing on or near building sites in order to avoid having to put your First Aid skills into practice.

The nights are getting shorter but there is still lots of time after school for children to enjoy an evening of fun and adventure. However a construction site is not the place to seek such adventure as it too often ends in tragedy.

Understandably some children are drawn to construction sites as exciting places to play, but they are not playgrounds and playing on them can have fatal consequences. My own nephew had the experience of falling off a roof (one that he shouldn’t have been on!) when he was 13 years old. He broke his arm in numerous places from one fall. He has spent the past 5 years having operation after operation and has had his whole arm pinned back together (going through airport security is always a drama now, he tells me!) . At almost 19 years of age, he is still having hospital visits and operations… so it’s no fun after all!

Between 2001/02 and 2004/05, 3 children died and 235 were injured in construction areas*. In the majority of cases a few simple precautions would have prevented the incidents ever happening.

The following practical advice for parents and workers will help keep children safe:
Advice for Parents

Warn children against playing in dangerous areas, including building sites, especially if you live close to a site; 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;

Advice for Construction Workers:
Never allow children to ride in construction plant machinery as this encourages the philosophy of “it’s a game/it’s play”. Lay heavy objects on the ground or fix them firmly upright so they cannot fall onto any unauthorised personnel and injure them; Look out for children playing around sites and take action if you see them;If you do see children on-site, immediate stop work and ensure they are escorted off site before you begin work again; Secure sites adequately when finishing work for the day, making sure all signs are in place and unobscured;

What to do if there is an injury on a constructon site
Immediately stop work.
For crushing objects, consider the length of time the person has been crushed and also any further injury that may occur by removing the object. As a rule of thumb, if it has pearced the skin or could be affecting vital organs, do not remove a crushing object.
Get help by calling the emergency services asap.

If it is a fall from a height, do not move the casualty, unless they can do so unaided. Treat any injuries as you find them.
Broken bones - keep still and prevent movement.
Major bleeding - apply direct pressure over the injury and then apply a dressing at the earliest possible time. Elevate limbs before commencing treatment.

As a First Aider, you should treat all your casualties for Shock. Anyone who has attended one of the OPTIMUM First Aid courses will know that Shock result in death. Give the casualty plenty of reassurance, using the "Let's Talk First Aid" technique and keep them warm. Make sure they are seen by medical aid.



* Health & Safety Executive

Coroners Report on the Death of Six-Year-Old Pupil who Choked on Sausage

The sad death of Shannon Hennessey was recorded as "Accidental Death" at a Coroners hearing last month. The six-year-old pupil died after choking on a piece of sausage during lunch at Redhill Infants School in Castleford, Yorkshire (UK).

The Coroner, David Hinchliffe is reported to have reached the verdict after declaring that all that could have been done, had been done, to save her life.

Teachers, dinner staff and paramedics all tried to clear her throat and revive her on 8th November 2006, but she was pronounced dead after arriving at hospital.

It's a sad case because as a First Aider we try so hard in such situations, however, sometimes we have to come to terms with the fact that there is only so much we can do to help in an instance like this.

I'm sure the First Aiders concerned are deeply upset by the incident and I think it's vitally important that we recognise their bravery and courage in dealing with the child. For those who have seen a child choking on something, you'll know how terrifying it can be. We must congratulate the dinner lady who, even without formal training, had the courage to take action and help in this situation by carrying out the abdominal thrust.

In a First Aid situation, if a casualty is choking, the following action should be taken:

• Check the mouth is clear.
• Lean the casualty forward (child or baby: place over your knee, with the head lower than the rest of the body).
• Give the casualty 5 back slaps.
• If that does not work, give the casualty 5 abdominal thrusts.
• Repeat if necessary.
• If the casualty becomes unconscious, be prepared to resuscitate.

Please remember, in MOST cases, this simple procedure is VERY effective. Unfortunately, we rarely hear about the successful removal of an obstruction in a First Aid situation, yet it happens so often. If you have dealt with such a First Aid situation yourself, take the time to congratulate yourself on your action ... you are a star!


If you would like to see a demonstration of how to carry out the abdominal thrust,
please visit our website film demonstration

For an amusing demonstration of the abdominal thrust, try watching the movie "Mrs Doubtfire". The trailer can be viewed at New York Times Movies