The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Irish Concrete Federation (ICF) are jointly supporting the campaign which is replacing the previous “Quarry Safety Week” that was typically held in the Autumn of the year.
Dr Sharon McGuinness, chief executive officer of the HSA, urged employers to lead the way in delivering safer workplaces, saying: “Since 2011, four people have lost their lives in quarries and many more have suffered serious, debilitating injury which is why Quarry Safety Week is so important – we need people to return home safely from work."
As part of the current spring campaign, the HSA is carrying out safety inspections at ICF member quarries, and ICF and HSA are presenting online briefings for quarry management, supervisors and safety officers on topical issues related to vehicle and pedestrian safety.
Materials manufacturer Irish cement is supporting the campaign, and ICF members are making commitments to carry out proactive safety measures in vehicle and pedestrian safety. These are available on the dedicated campaign webpage: www.irishconcrete.ie/quarry-safety-campaign-2021/.
Irish Concrete Federation chief executive Gerry Farrell said: “Notwithstanding the massive challenges presented by COVID-19, it is critical that our members remain focused on the fundamental safety risks associated with quarrying which have not reduced during the pandemic. Therefore we greatly welcome the active support of the HSA for this campaign with its focus on vehicle and pedestrian safety in quarries.”
