Quarries Issue Trespass Warning
Parents are being warned to be vigilant over the bank holiday
weekend as a warm spell could lead to children being exposed to
unseen dangers in the UK's quarries. The warning comes from the
Quarry Products Association following a nationwide survey of quarry
managers and the overwhelming message is that warm weather often
leads to misadventure at their sites.
So ahead of the bank holiday weekend the QPA has launched its
annual Play Safe … Stay Safe campaign and is warning that
quarries are not safe places to play.
Lynda Thompson is the QPA's chairman. "Whilst quarries are
safe places for work and have a vital role in our world they are
not playgrounds," she said. "We rely on parents and
teachers to support us in delivering that essential message.
"Our new safety survey shows that 60 per cent of our members'
quarries have experienced trespass problems in the last two years
and over half expect further incidents in the coming year. We
know from experience that warm weather is a particular factor
in increased levels of trespass by both children and adults,"
she said.
"A fifth of our members say that trespass is a constant
worry and many have employed CCTV, extra security guards, new
fencing and have increased co-operation with Police Community
Support Officers to try to tackle the problem."
The new survey of quarry managers also found that whilst the
over-25s are the most frequent trespassers, teenage trespass is
a bigger concern.
Lynda Thompson added, "The numbers show the extent of the
problem and, whilst our members try to engage with the community
by visiting schools and youth groups, the support of parents in
relaying the Play Safe… Stay Safe message is vital.
"It came as somewhat of a surprise that the over 25's were
the most frequent trespassers. We would urge those adults to change
their behaviour because children following this example could
be exposed to unseen dangers."
The Play Safe…Stay Safe campaign raises awareness of the
often unrecognised hazards of trespassing in a typical quarry,
which include deep and cold water, sand piles where children could
dig tunnels liable to collapse and steep drops.
QPA is particularly concerned about the potential for accidents
at disused quarries, which often become beauty spots and attract
whole families. Amongst the adults who often ignore the hazards
of such sites - and in doing so encourage children - are divers
and climbers.
Lynda Thompson: "We are keen to ensure parents and teachers
fully understand the dangers young people can face if they trespass
on active or disused sites. One accident is one too many."
ENDS
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