A major new strategic initiative to improve health and safety in the mineral products industry recognises the critical importance of sharing information and collaboration.
BAA; IQ; MPA; MPQC and QNJAC have come together as the Strategic Safety Forum (SSF) for Health and Safety in the Mineral Products Sector to facilitate and encourage collaboration and coordination between key sector organisations for the good of the industry and deliver on a common purpose.
At the official public launch at Hillhead 2024, it was stated that this collaborative forum, spanning the ‘aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, precast and masonry, dimension stone, lime, mortar and industrial sand industries’ across the whole of the United Kingdom, will help to ensure that the Sector achieves the highest possible standards of performance in Health and Safety (H&S) as part of its collective and individual, legal and moral responsibility so that everyone who engages with the Sector is kept safe and well.
The SSF will seek to develop consensus across the Sector to encourage alignment of the Members’ initiatives and will facilitate collaboration and sharing. Particular emphasis will be placed on eliminating harm arising from the six key areas identified as being responsible for the majority of fatalities and serious injuries:
Contact with moving machinery and isolation
Workplace transport and pedestrian interface
Work at height
Workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica
Struck by moving or falling object
Road traffic accidents
To achieve its objectives, the Forum will coordinate its efforts on:
Key health and Safety Issues
Standards, skills, education, and resources
Consolidated data and the interpretation of data to inform action
Consistent and aligned communication
Engagement with Contractors
Such other priorities as the Forum members shall from time to time agree.
Martin Riley, Chair of the SSF, said: “I am delighted to see the collaborative work initiated by the previous Strategic Forum being taken forward with the support of the five key member bodies here. We all have a duty to ensure that our sector is safe, and that the wellbeing of our employees is delivered on a day-to-day basis.”
