Parents in Northern Ireland are being urged to ensure that children do not take unnecessary risks during the summer break by treating local quarries as adventure playgrounds.

The appeal comes from CEMEX Ireland in support of the 'Play Safe… Stay Safe' campaign mounted by the Quarry Products Association (QPA). The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the hazards that can be faced by quarry trespassers who break down fences and enter quarries unaccompanied.

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Anthony Moran, Heath and Safety Manager of CEMEX Ireland stated: “While our fencing and signs have thus far proved effective, we cannot afford to be complacent about this problem. A quarry is a safe environment when you work here because you are properly trained and you have all the correct safety gear. However, if you come here in your jeans and trainers and with no understanding of the hazards, then you are at real risk.”

The launch of this campaign follows a survey of hundreds of quarries and other aggregate sites across the UK which revealed that children and teenagers are increasingly placing themselves in danger by entering sites during the long summer holidays.

CEMEX Ireland is working in conjunction with the QPA to support their recently launched Play Safe…Stay Safe campaign.

As part of the campaign, the QPA has also produced a wall chart and educational resource pack intended for use in schools.

(CL)