Company's 'visiting schools' scheme to highlight site safety launched

A new 'working safely with schools' programme has been launched in West Yorkshire.

The scheme involves representatives from Barratt Developments visiting local primary schools to deliver assemblies on health and safety on construction sites.

A formal launch took place at Carleton Park Junior and Infant School in Pontefract, with Darren Sanderson, Divisional Health and Safety Manager and Marilyn Smith, personal assistant to the construction director and team visiting the school.

Around 200 pupils attended a special assembly, where the children learned about the dangers and hazards of construction sites, as well as the importance of health and safety.

Information on safety warning signs and building machinery was included.

Pupils also got themselves kitted out in protective clothing, high vis, hard hats, goggles, ear protectors, dusk masks and steel toecap boots.

Mr Sanderson said: “The importance of health and safety on and around our development sites is something we feel needs to be shared with the community and especially with school children, which is why we have launched this scheme in the region.

"The children were really engaged with the assembly and very keen to learn more about the subject, which was very encouraging to see.”