Youngsters from Llandudno were given a lesson in keeping safe around a building site.
Teaching the pupils from Ysgol Tudno was Ivor Goodsite, the mascot for the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
The message was delivered to the junior classes at the school, which is just a stone’s throw from a major building development being carried out for housing association Cartrefi Conwy.
Contractors RL Davies Construction of Llysfaen take the precaution of addressing most schoolchildren near their major development sites and in the Llandudno case the timing and location were extremely appropriate.
The Cysgod y Gogarth development in Trinity Avenue is on the site of two former blocks of accommodation, Llys Seiriol and Llys Eryl, which were built about 50 years ago but which no longer met Welsh Government housing standards.
The new £5m complex, due to open next March, comprises 26 state-of-the-art apartments and four family homes, but it will also function as a community hub with landscaped gardens.
The work is on schedule but is going on behind high hoardings – but experience throughout the country has shown that such barriers alone do not prevent mischievous or merely inquisitive youngsters from venturing onto sites and placing themselves at risk.
That is why RL Davies Construction adopt such a pro-active approach in warning children of the potential hazards – a move which was welcomed by Cartrefi Conwy officials.
Martin Jones, the company’s health and safety manager, addressed about 100 youngsters who listened intently as he showed them the types of protective clothing such as boots, hard hats and goggles worn by workers on the site.
He also showed a hard-hitting DVD of the kind of risks facing children who treat building sites as playgrounds. These range from falling off scaffolding, treading on sharp objects, drowning and touching noxious substances.
“The simple message is ‘We want you to enjoy yourselves playing this summer but never go on a building site because they are very dangerous places’,” said Martin.
The message was underlined by his colleague Ivor Goodsite, who was wearing all the safety equipment used by building workers.
Deputy Head Chris Bowen said it was an excellent presentation with a very important message.
“Building sites can look exciting places but there are so many hazards,” he told the children. “If your friends suggest that you go ‘Say no, don’t go’.”
Martin said that despite the warnings they hoped that the children would show interest in the Cysgod y Gogarth scheme and so “windows” would be cut in the hoardings around the site to enable them and their parents to follow the progress over the coming months.
In conjunction with Cartrefi Conwy the company will also run a poster competition at Ysgol Tudno, with the winners and their friends being shown around the complex. They may also be invited to the official opening next Spring.
Cysgod y Gogarth is an eco-friendly, energy-efficient development, fully accessible to the disabled. The tenants of the former blocks were given the option of returning to the new apartments and the majority will be doing so.
The stark message was certainly understood by the pupils. Milly Holmes, eight, who lives close to Cysgod y Garth, said: “It showed us how dangerous building sites can be.”
And William Tinker, also eight, said he wouldn’t go onto a building site after watching the DVD.
“If a ball went over the fence we should leave it until one of the workmen can give it back to us,” he said.
Eiry Davies, Cartrefi Conwy’s housing project manager, said: “Ivor Goodsite explained to the children site procedures, building methods and the materials to be used in the build.
“He also emphasised the dangers of construction sites and why they should never play on them
“It is imperative to for us and our contractors to be active in the communities where we operate and to promote safety to local school children.
“The lessons that the children have learnt, with the assistance of Ivor, will benefit them not only now but also later in life.”
