Construction Site Security During the School Holidays

With the school holidays fast approaching, construction sites across the UK face an increased risk of unauthorised access by children and young people. As more children spend time outdoors exploring their local surroundings, construction sites can become an intriguing, but dangerous, place to explore.

Recognising this increased seasonal risk, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a reminder urging those responsible for sites to review their construction site security arrangements before the summer break. The HSE reminds duty holders that they have a legal responsibility to prevent unauthorised access and protect members of the public from the hazards associated with construction work. While incidents are thankfully rare, they can result in tragic consequences, making effective site security more important than ever.

🔗Read the HSE press release here.

Why Site Security Matters

Construction sites contain many hazards. These hazards are not always obvious to members of the public, particularly children. Open excavations, moving plant, unstable materials, incomplete structures, hazardous substances and working at height all present significant risks. And, even when work has finished for the day, these dangers remain.

Those responsible for construction sites have a legal duty to protect members of the public from these risks by preventing unauthorised access, and taking a proactive approach before the school holidays begin will help safeguard children, protect your workforce and reduce the risk of costly incidents.

Practical Steps to Improve Site Security

Before the school holidays begin, take the opportunity to review your site’s security arrangements. Every construction site is different, but carrying out a simple security check before the break can help prevent unauthorised access and reduce the risk of serious incidents.

The HSE recommends ensuring your site is secure when work finishes each day, that hazards are properly protected, and that fencing, gates and storage arrangements remain effective throughout the holiday period.

Use the checklist below as a quick reminder of the key areas to review before the holidays begin.

Construction site security shouldn’t be a one-off task. Regular inspections throughout the project, particularly during periods when children are more likely to be nearby, help ensure your security measures stay effective and any issues are identified and addressed.

Think Beyond the Site Boundary

Every single construction site is different, therefore requirements will be different.

Sites located close to schools, parks, housing estates, footpaths or public open spaces may require additional precautions because of the increased likelihood of children being nearby.

A site that is adequately secured during term time may present a greater risk during the school holidays simply because more children are in the area throughout the day, so by taking a few extra precautions you can significantly reduce the likelihood of any unauthorised access.

A Legal Duty Under CDM 2015

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), those involved in construction projects have duties to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that construction work can be carried out without risks to the health and safety of any person affected by the project. That includes protecting members of the public from construction site hazards – not just the workforce. And for Principal Contractors and those managing sites, maintaining effective site security is a fundamental part of meeting these legal responsibilities.

Now Is the Time to Review Site Security

The upcoming school holidays provide an ideal opportunity to review your construction site security arrangements before the increased risk period begins – a simple inspection today could prevent a serious incident tomorrow. Taking the time to check fencing, gates, storage arrangements and access controls helps protect local communities while demonstrating good health and safety management.

For further guidance on protecting the public around construction sites, read the HSE guidance here.