Construction site: Unsafe

Find out how this scenario can be made safer

Site description

A building site was situated adjacent to a school during the construction of a traffic management scheme. The work was planned to be carried out during the school holidays and was situated around the old school entrance.

The accident

A boy arrived mid morning to play football with his friends on the playing fields. Thinking it safe, he cut through the building site, taking the route to he usually does during term time. A dumper driver moving gravel failed to spot him. The boy was hit and severely injured.

The consequences

Both the boy's legs were badly broken and required extensive surgery and physiotherapy. The ensuing compensation case was rendered more costly by issues of liability between the school governors and the construction company.