A family were left covered in fibreglass shards after leaning on the railing at Bailey’s Bay Bridge at the weekend.

The mother of the family posted on Facebook that she and her children were leaning on the railing looking at the fish below before realising that their arms, hands and shirts were exposed to the material, which can cause irritation to the skin.

She added that nearby tourists were experiencing the same as her family.

The mother wrote: “Went with the family to watch the sunset on Bailey’s Bay Bridge last night. When we were leaning over the railing to look at fish below, little did we know that we were getting fibreglass all over our arms, hands and shirts.

“The top of the railing is peeling and the fibreglass is exposed. It made for a really prickly evening and even today we all awoke with it on our arms/hands [washing it lots and lots has helped a little].

“There were tourists and others noticing the same, which is a shame … anyone know who might provide a solution? Friends of Bermuda Railway Trail? Parks? It’s such a lovely spot!”

The Bailey’s Bay bridge project is supported by a partnership between the Government and the Friends of Bermuda Railway Trail, which together raised the funds for the approximately $500,000 project.

Tucker Murphy, of the FBRT, told The Royal Gazette: “The bridge is owned by the Bermuda Government and is made out of fibreglass.

“I was involved in building of the bridge. There is a specific finish for fibreglass. It was finished once then there was an additional finish.

“I would say don’t run your hand on the bridge. It’s the same with all fibreglass. The responsibility for the maintenance of the bridge is with Parks.”

The Department of Parks was approached for comment but did not respond by press time.

The Bailey’s Bay project was launched in 2013 and completed in 2014.