Has anyone ever allowed this ?

I'm under pressure to allow the kids of a client on to one of our sites, basically for a look around.

My instant reaction was "No, why would we allow it"?

However pressure is pressure.

Any thoughts ?

I tend to agree with Hopeful's comments, properly managed it should not be a problem - a pain perhaps. However, there are many construction sites up and down the country which mandate that only those with a CSCS card are allowed to go on site. So, children are not going to posses this 'qualification' and would the client still apply pressure to bend the rules to suit their purpose? In which case I would steadfastly refuse - I don't tolerate double-standards.

My first reaction would be "why not?" Health and Safety isn't about stopping things from happening. It is about facilitating things to be done safely.

I am sure that, with a little bit of effort, a site visit can be arranged and in complete safety. Politicians do it so why not the young generation? The kids would get an awareness of the risks and the control measures on a building site and if put across in the right way may prove beneficial in the future.

Graham

When I was travelling and inspecting shopfitting sites a few years ago I would occasionally take my son along with me during school holidays.

I made sure the site management were OK with it and issued him a hard hat safety boots and high viz.

On arrival we were both induction trained as visitors and off we went to do the safety inspection.

My son always received a good welcome, banter with the operatives, offers of drinks and snacks so he enjoyed every minute.

I also booked decent accommodation for the overnight stay, decent budget hotel with swimming pool and he really enjoyed the whole experience.

No problem as far as I'm concerned.

Seems reasonable to me.
don't loose sight of the fact that without clients there is no job.

We do this regularly, and we are one of those that insist you have a CSCS card appropriate for your job role etc etc. Alfasev's approach is the same as ours, set out a clear route, viewing points etc. Induction briefing, escorted at all times as a group with regard to boots we usually request walking boots, stout shoes etc as we have prepared a walking route and risk assessed, implemented controls.
What future does the construction industry have if we never allow kids to see the amazing things that go on behind the hoarding?
Ultimately we should be enabling things as safety professionals, in a controlled manner, to educate and promote what construction has to offer.

There's the answer then fiesta, Jamie dodgers... should have gone for the Jammy ones. The may have thought that building workers had slight cannibalistic tendencies?