Guide on offer to make sure news is delivered safely

Date article online: 20/10/2006

Ensuring that young people delivering newspapers stay safe is the aim of a campaign launched this week across Rochdale borough.

Rochdale Council is issuing guidance to all newsagents throughout the borough. Newsagents will receive a guidance pack, which contains information for the young people, their parents and newsagents.

Around one in five working young people have a paper round and many of them are being exposed to dangers. Yet simple precautions that cost nothing can be put in place to protect their safety and their health.

Many newsagents are not aware of their obligations towards young workers. A survey carried out in 2003 across Greater Manchester found that almost three quarters of newsagents did not know about basic health and safety requirements such as the need to report accidents. 

Lead Member for Environment amp; Sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "There are many dangers that children could be exposed to. The children carry heavy bags, work on their own, cross busy roads, ride bikes and work during hours of darkness in cold and wet conditions. Newsagents have asked for better guidance to help them and I am pleased we have been able to respond."

Children are at greater risk of sustaining injuries from lifting. Some 60% of children under the age of 14 attend Accident and Emergency departments due to bicycle-related injuries. According to recent studies 82% of children do not wear bicycle helmets and children between the ages of 11 and 15 are at the greatest risk of death from not wearing or having a properly fitted helmet.

Every newsagent will soon receive a guidance pack and they should ensure that the children's parents receive the short guide that is contained in the pack.  Additional packs are available from Gary Parkinson on 01706 924225 and the information is also available on the Council's website www.rochdale.gov.uk

Rochdale Council is running the campaign as part of European Health amp; Safety Week, which begins on Monday 23 October.