Safety 101: The Importance of Safety in Quarrying
There are many industries that are considered dangerous to work in, and quarrying is just one of those industries. Data from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll report shows that one in five (21%) people in mining and quarrying occupations have experienced harm at work in the past two years.
Safety then, is an especially important consideration when working at quarries. In this guide, we’ll discuss what makes it so important and offer advice on how to improve the safety considerations and practises in quarrying environments.
Why Safety is Important
There are many aspects involved in quarrying processes that can put workers at risk of injury - from workplace health risks, such as hearing loss or musculoskeletal issues as a result of repeated exposure to loud and vibrating machinery, to potential life-altering injuries such as falling from height or working with controlled explosives for blasting procedures.
These processes don’t only pose a risk of potentially serious injuries, but in the worst case scenarios the accidents that might occur can also be fatal. Evidently, then, it’s essential that the necessary steps are taken to ensure adequate safety considerations are always in place and prioritised.
Improving Safety
Wearing PPE
It’s important that all workers and visitors at a quarry site are provided with and actively wear adequate personal protective equipment, known as PPE. This could include:
● Hard hats
● Steel-capped boots
● High-visibility clothing
● Eye protection
● Hearing protection
● Gloves
● Respiratory protection
Ensuring the right protection is worn in the right situations can significantly reduce the risk of any personnel obtaining an injury or other health hazard.
Providing Adequate Training
The use of large, heavy machinery and other dangerous equipment, such as controlled explosives, is often involved in the extraction of quarry products. The operation of these should only be undertaken by fully trained individuals, so it’s important that proper training is provided to any individuals who will be operating any machinery and equipment.
On top of this, regular safety training should be provided to all employees. This is to reinforce essential safety advice and regulations and remind employees to be sticking to these, as well as introduce any new safety advice and regulations.
Undertaking Regular Risk Assessments
Conducting regular risk assessments is important for ensuring that the necessary safety measures are continuously in place and remain adequate. This involves continuously assessing any existing and potential hazards and evaluating the risks involved, so that the best solutions for mitigating these can be implemented.
This isn’t just important for protecting the health and safety of all personnel at the quarry site, but ensures legal compliance with the necessary health and safety regulations is also maintained.
Expert Quarry Services in Scotland
Here at William Thompson & Son, we are proud to have been operating in the quarrying industry for over 75 years. As experts in the industry, we take safety very seriously at our Glasgow quarry, ensuring our high-quality products are sourced efficiently and effectively without compromising the health and safety of our staff.
If you’d like to learn more about our processes or would like to discuss your requirements regarding any of the materials we supply, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
