The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has announced that it will be carrying out a

'Machinery guarding, safe isolation and maintenance' inspection initiative across NI Quarries.

During the inspection that will take place from 11 December through to January 2024, inspectors will be checking that machinery is adequately guarded to prevent access to dangerous parts. The inspectors will also review the measures in place to ensure both routine and non-routine maintenance can be carried out safely.

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HSENI Principal Inspector Brian Pryce said: "Machinery guarding, isolation and maintenance activities remain a major risk for the sector. Our key message is to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, and to develop, implement and supervise appropriate procedures for carrying out maintenance (i.e. isolation and lock-out).

"Our Inspectors will be checking that adequate arrangements are in place to guard dangerous moving parts of work equipment, and that suitable procedures are in place to safely complete both routine and non-routine maintenance."

HSENI Inspectors will be providing information and advice during the inspection initiative. Where significant risks are found, Inspectors may take enforcement action in order to achieve compliance with health and safety legislation and to ensure that the risks are properly managed.