Quarry remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in and since 2000 over 2700 workers have suffered as injury reportable to HSE 21 of those been fatal.

The HSE launch a hard target initiative in 2000 and the industry has achieved a 55% reduction in accidents and is aiming to target zero reportable accident by 2015. The main causes of injury continue to be:

• Manual handling / musculoskeletal injury
• Falls from heights
• Transport
• Slips & trip

The main causes of occupational ill health continue to be:

• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Hand arms vibration
• Asthma
• Noise
• Silica

Unlike most industries all quarries must have a written health & safety policy regardless of the number of employees. The insurance industry still regard the quarries and aggregates industry as high risk with the majority of the major composite insurers unwilling to offer Employers Liability.

The Lloyds market continues to dominate but thankfully there are sufficient underwriters quoting this business that there is now keen competition for those businesses who can demonstrate robust and comprehensive health & safety management systems.

The Quarries Regulations 1999 are the drivers for safe operation of a quarry and work in conjunction with the health & safety at work legislation under the regulations the quarry operator has the following duties:

• Health & safety management including duties of the operator, health & safety policy and training and competency.
• Risk control including inspections, use of vehicles, benches & haul roads.
• Explosives.
• Excavations & tips including geotechnical assessments.
• Duties of employers and participation and duties of persons at work including health surveillance.

We are committed to provide our clients with advice to aid compliance and to satisfy insurers the Employers Liability risk is well controlled, and can provide relevant information as required. In addition we have access to industry specific courses via the Mineral Products Association (MPA).