HSA Inspection Blitz for Quarry Safety Week
Friday 26th September
Monday (29th September) marks the start of Quarry Safety Week and the beginning of an intensive week of activity by the Health and Safety Authority in the quarry sector. Inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority will be targeting quarries across the country in a concentrated inspection campaign.
CEO of the Health and Safety Authority Martin O'Halloran said, "Thankfully there have been no fatalities in the sector so far this year. However, quarries are dangerous places to work and the risk of death or serious injury is higher than in most other sectors."
"During quarry safety week our inspectors will be examining health and safety management systems that owners and managers of quarries have put in place and focus on safety systems to control the risks posed by mobile and fixed plant. Poor working conditions and failure to report accidents prevalent in the sector will also be given particular attention."
"I would urge quarry managers to promote the safety message during Quarry Safety Week by holding in-house 'tool box' talks and awareness training on critical safety issues," he added.
In May of this year the Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Billy Kelleher T.D., introduced the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations 2008, and these new regulations with the accompanying guidance are making a difference according to Martin O'Halloran. "I believe that these new regulations along with the detailed guidance provided by the HSA will assist the sector in greatly reducing the numbers of accidents over the coming years," he said.
The major causes of fatalities in the quarry sector remain use of vehicles, fixed machinery, maintenance activities and falls from height.