Unsupervised child in danger?

Was the child just sitting in the diggers seat or actually driving it, I am not quite sure what the poster meant. I know if I had a digger in my garden our 10 year old grandson would definitely want to sit in the seat but that doesn't mean he was going to turn it on and drive it.

NotSpaghetti

Sorry David49 - I just think this is not, in reality how the OP describes it.

If the OP is really saying the child is playing around the building site, that’s different, if it’s not securely fenced it’s likely a DIY project not a professional builder. If it’s a normal house building site with foundation trenches, heaps of soil it a great playground I loved those places all those years ago

It’s the parents responsibility to ensure the child is safe, it wouldn’t concern me as long as there was no deep water

Sorry David49 - I just think this is not, in reality how the OP describes it.

Yes, another wind-up! 🥱

I often wonder about some posts. Where is the OP? Is this another wind-up? If so, how bored must some people be!

NotSpaghetti

David49 I wasn't saying drive

The OP did say 10 yr old was “using” the machines, as opposed to playing on them, keys should not be left in machines.

David49 I wasn't saying drive

Drive tractors under 13

Children on farms are not allowed to drive tractors, over that age they are trained to do various work, they would not be allowed to “play” driving tractors.

I trained my grandson 14 to drive a digger, explained the safety and controls then told him to dig a hole - he did a very large one, a 16 he was expert, but had to get his official training certificate.

Wise comment , not spaghetti

Your friend needs to speak to the parents.

It sounds unlikely as it is told.
"Messing about" with equipment like a giant digger toy park.

I don't doubt he may be involved in renovation activities though.
Plenty of farm children sit in cabs with family for example.

I'd want to know more than we do before I commented further.

Four hours later, no sign of OP, is it just me, if I post a query, I watch the thread for responses and acknowledge them?

I have to admit this sounds really dangerous .
I'd express my concerns to the parents , but it doesn't always go down well !
If you report them -they'll know who it was !

I’m ’reading’ that some or all of the renovation/work is being done by the householder? That would mean that they have the keys to the machinery, and they are allowing the child to play around with it?
I’m sure no bona fide contractor would leave any keys with the householder, nor allow a child on site (with or without hi-viz, hard hat etc) at any cost.

I know that it’s often usual on farms for youngsters to muck in to help their parents with some tasks - perhaps the rules are different on private land? Years ago, we donated my old Fiat 500 to a friend, who allowed his sons to drive it a mile down from the farmhouse to the farm gates to connect with the school bus - years before they’d be able to get a driving licence.

The parents need to be reported. An unsupervised 10year old in a tractor is a danger to everyone 😡

I would speak with the parents Asap Have you witnessed this? How has he got the keys?

I don’t understand how a 10 year old starts the machines

She should definitely report it to the Council. Health and Safety laws are very strict. Letting a 10-year-old use heavy machinery is absurd.

Who is 'letting' this happen? The vehicle owners or the parents, or both?

I think before contacting anyone the 'responsible' adults (or not) should be spoken to first.

Safeguarding isn't about 'reporting,' it is about getting the right information so that everyone can stay safe.

Make some enquiries before anything else, in the end it is the parents who are the first port of call here.

Surely if she’s concerned (I would be) she should talk with his parents

Has the company that uses these machines left the keys for anyone to use or have the friends son and DIL hired the machines to use themselves?
Either way, someone is being extremely negligent and irresponsible to allow a child to use them unsupervised - if he doesn't injure himself he could easily injure someone else.
Sounds like a case of neglect IMO.

I’m pretty sure that the law hasn’t changed and you must be thirteen to drive a tractor.

Can she speak to the parents herself?....discuss her concerns ?