Today marks the kick-off of Quarry Safety Week and the start of an intensive week of quarry examinations across the country by inspectors from the Health and Safety authority (HSA).

According to the HSA senior inspector, Pat Griffin: "Quarries are still one of the most dangerous places to work. Since 2002, 14 people have lost their lives in the sector and many more have suffered serious, debilitating injury.

"The message is clear: safety must be treated as paramount in the sector. As part of quarry safety week the Health and Safety Authority will be carrying out an inspection blitz of quarries from Monday. In particular these inspections will focus on safety systems in place to control the risks posed by mobile and fixed plant. Poor working conditions and failure to report accidents, which are prevalent in the sector, will also be given particular system."

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Mr Griffin also revealed the HAS would be examining health and safety management systems that owners and managers of quarries have implemented. He has urged quarry bosses to promote the safety message during Quarry Safety week by holding in-house 'tool box' talks and awareness training on critical safety issues.

"Quarrying is a high risk activity and if the best health and safety standards are not followed, the consequences, in human and financial terms, can be devastating. In the recent past the Health and Safety Authority has closed down quarries where health and safety standards were poor and employees were at risk."

He concluded: "We want to work in partnership with the industry to improve safety, but we will also use all the enforcement powers available to us to clamp down on rogue operators who continue to put their workers' lives and wellbeing at risk."

(JM)