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Original poster

Builder brings 12 year old daughter to work

398 replies

TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 07:52

Childcare issues, I get it. This contractor/builder guy is doing up our drive. His daughter mostly stays in his van but yesterday I could see that she was operating the mini digger while he was recording her. This wasn't just a couple of minutes for a photo, it went on for maybe an hour. The two of them were frolicking and being quite stupid really. I was in disbelief watching from inside the house. Our drive is now all digged up and I don't want any awkwardness or the potential of him not finishing the job. Anyone know where we stand with the law? Can we say that from a legal point of view we do not consent to an under 16 being withing the bounds of our property at any point?

OP posts:
JayJayj · 02/08/2025 23:43

My husband used to take our nephews with him on some days to work, he is a heating engineer. One is now working with him and doing his courses.

It’s a great way to get kids involved with trade. And good that they learn work ethics. As long as he isn’t behind in work and it’s getting done I really wouldn’t find issue with it.

Wolfpinkola · 02/08/2025 23:45

The whole thing would piss me off, it’s completely unprofessional. Are you paying a fixed price for the job?

The dicking about on TikTok is ridiculous

Yelrab · 02/08/2025 23:46

You obviously have not read page 1 of this post.

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 23:51

JayJayj · 02/08/2025 23:43

My husband used to take our nephews with him on some days to work, he is a heating engineer. One is now working with him and doing his courses.

It’s a great way to get kids involved with trade. And good that they learn work ethics. As long as he isn’t behind in work and it’s getting done I really wouldn’t find issue with it.

Edited

I sometimes think there are joke posts put on here to wind people up. Now know for certain this is the case!

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 02/08/2025 23:57

I went on jobs with my Dad. I was mainly hanging out in a vehicle. It was great. I have a great work ethic and can work with anyone and anywhere.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 03/08/2025 00:00

And drive anything….

Itstwelveoclocksomewhere · 03/08/2025 00:10

RynNOTerine · 02/08/2025 18:25

Well no they dont work there 🤣 perks of being self employed and customers wanting a job finished.... ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

Show quote history

First you say he was called out for an emergency. Then he went because he was finishing a job. Which was it?

And whichever it was, how was he expecting to do his work with a two year old wandering around the place? I assume he didn't deduct the price of childcare before he charged them.
I would LOVE trading standards to pop along and see these chancers with their kids in tow.

Terrribletwos · 03/08/2025 00:22

Op says 12 year old in her opening post btw.

moveoverG · 03/08/2025 00:22

Op yanbu, she should not be there at all.

No way would I be inviting the dd in, firstly after paying for childcare why would I then take in a child who I know nothing about and on top of that I’m wfh!
Also as pp said, it would potentially encourage the contractor to slow down or pop to another job whilst he enjoys free childcare- I’d be scared she would turn up with activities for us while I’m trying to work and feeling guilty for my own dc!

She is not helping in any way and shouldn’t be there.
if it was a job where she was running back and forth helping pass tools or cleaning up the mess he leaves so he can carry on then that wouldn’t bother me however what you describe would.

I am desperate to know what happened in the bathroom?!

WunTooThree · 03/08/2025 00:27

This would annoy me so much.

I went to a restaurant a few weeks ago, and there was a little girl flitting about between the tables... taking menus and cutlery etc, and accompanying staff and asking people's orders. I was told she was the managers' daughter.

Was really inappropriate.

Itstwelveoclocksomewhere · 03/08/2025 00:41

Terrribletwos · 03/08/2025 00:22

Op says 12 year old in her opening post btw.

I wasn't replying to the OP.

Yelrab · 03/08/2025 03:16

Terrribletwos You should read page 1 of comments before you make remarks that show that it is you have not read the post.

ScreamingBeans · 03/08/2025 04:50

The people saying it's the builders h&s nightmare if something goes wrong, if it's on your property then it may be your nightmare too.

I would feel very anxious about this

Kuretake · 03/08/2025 06:22

Can someone explain the legal mechanism that ends in the OP being liable if his daughter had an accident? I can't see it.

NarnianQueen · 03/08/2025 08:19

If you see them messing around I’d pop out to ask a question then look shocked at what they’re doing… might make them think twice

AnSolas · 03/08/2025 08:20

Kuretake · 03/08/2025 06:22

Can someone explain the legal mechanism that ends in the OP being liable if his daughter had an accident? I can't see it.

The child has (one assumes) a mother.

Mother is a little upset that DD has dug up the main power line for half the county and fried DD and DH as DH was not informed nor checked for lines.

Mother is a little upset that DD fell and cut herself.

But if the contractor is acting through a ltd company (he should be) he could (in theory) sue on her behalf as he the Co has to employ legal to represent the Co in a court case.

Householder helped create the conditions which resulted in harm to a special class of people to whom the OP has an extra duty of care.

Eg OP has a special duty of care to fence the non-work site (which she still controls) off from children if she sees that the builder has not done the same to the land he controls.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/publicprotection.htm

Protecting the public - HSE

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) information and advice for contractors on site organisation to protect the public from risk on construction sites

https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/publicprotection.htm

Bjorkdidit · 03/08/2025 08:29

But the OP isn't in control of the build site, the builder is.

She's not responsible if he leaves it in a dangerous condition eg an exposed hole or live electrics.

If his work meant that he had to leave the site in this condition it would be him who is responsible for putting up fencing to secure the site.

Responsibility lies with the person in control of the work not the person who owns the site. Plus as a member of the public, a householder isn't responsible in the same way a business is.

It would be different if this was at an office where the OP was the business owner or if the OP was employing eg a nanny in her home she would be responsible if the nanny is injured. But she's not responsible for the actions of a contractor working on her home.

Kuretake · 03/08/2025 08:30

So if someone is doing my front garden it's my responsibility to make the worksite safe? What if a builder has an accident or a passing child?

Kuretake · 03/08/2025 08:31

Bjorkdidit · 03/08/2025 08:29

But the OP isn't in control of the build site, the builder is.

She's not responsible if he leaves it in a dangerous condition eg an exposed hole or live electrics.

If his work meant that he had to leave the site in this condition it would be him who is responsible for putting up fencing to secure the site.

Responsibility lies with the person in control of the work not the person who owns the site. Plus as a member of the public, a householder isn't responsible in the same way a business is.

It would be different if this was at an office where the OP was the business owner or if the OP was employing eg a nanny in her home she would be responsible if the nanny is injured. But she's not responsible for the actions of a contractor working on her home.

Edited

Yes this is my understanding otherwise we all need really serious insurance for anytime we have workmen doing anything for us.

DamnedIfIDoDamnedIfIDont · 03/08/2025 08:36

cheezncrackers · 02/08/2025 08:57

There are laws about child labour in this country. If she is 12 and operating a digger/doing part of the work that you have employed her DF to do, then you should really speak to him about it. I don't understand why people are so lacking in assertiveness tbh. In the van, fine. Doing the work? Not.

Its illegal for anyone under the age of 14 to even sit in a digger or tractor definitely illegal to operate one. Hes breaking the law and video evidence too. Self incrimination

thepariscrimefiles · 03/08/2025 08:41

Peakwarrior · 02/08/2025 18:53

Would you be saying the same if it was a boy on the digger. If he's on a price I can't see the issue, just be clear it's his responsibility to ensure site safety maybe by email or message for your records. Kid's get involved In many family businesses and usually turn into practical useful young adults.

Of coure she would. The issue is that he is playing with his daughter rather than working. If he was playing with his son, OP was still be annoyed as he is there to work on her drive, not entertain his children.

Blondeshavemorefun · 03/08/2025 08:41

TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 12:08

You have no idea what he did as I haven't told you, so go ahead and make whatever assumptions you want.

Show quote history

i will bite

what did he do ?

skid marks ?

not flush ?

yes having his dd there isn’t great. How many times :long has she been there ?

If you see her on digger again I would say something about his insurance covering her as yours wouldn't

Bjorkdidit · 03/08/2025 08:45

For all those who posted 'I grew up on a farm and had great fun driving tractors before I could walk' many children who did this didn't live to tell the tale. The laws governing farm safety would also be applicable in to the OPs builder.

HSE are very hot on this (warning, upsetting content)

https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/experience/children.htm

Children - HSE

Agriculture is the only high-risk industry that has to deal with the constant presence of children

https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/experience/children.htm

Toptotoe · 03/08/2025 09:26

OneCleverEagle · 02/08/2025 20:20

OP would not be liable for any accident or injury unless they can prove negligence on her part.

She knowingly allowed a child to play on work machinery in her land and don’t get me started on what would happen under occupiers liability . . . The legislation means you have to put up bunting if you dig a deep hole in your garden in case burglar falls in it . . .
The occupier is at serious risk of being sued/ charged if anything happens to the child if she is aware of the situation.

mumofagoodun · 03/08/2025 09:42

We had a new garage built and the builder brought his 11 year old son with him in half term. He helped loading bricks and used our bathroom if he needed too. Okay, it's annoying to see her messing about but saying anything will cause bad feeling and it will show in the work. She's outside and not your problem. Best to ignore

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