HSENI announces workplace transport inspection campaign in Northern Ireland Quarries

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) will be carrying out a workplace transport inspection campaign across Northern Ireland quarries from June to September 2023.

HSENI inspectors will be conducting focused inspections to assess the management of workplace transport risks, targeting three key areas required to manage workplace transport effectively, and amongst other issues will include the following:

1. Safe Site

• Is there a traffic management plan in place for the quarry?
• Are pedestrians and vehicles adequately segregated?
• Is there suitable edge protection in place on haul roads and rock traps in place at faces adjacent to haul roads?
• Are there designated routes for pedestrians to travel around the quarry?

2. Safe Vehicle

• Are measures in place to ensure vehicle all-round visibility?
• Are procedures in place to carry out pre-use checks and report defects?
• Is daily brake testing carried out on vehicles operating in the quarry?
• Have statutory examinations been completed for vehicles used for lifting?

3. Safe Driver

• Do drivers hold adequate licenses / training certificates for the vehicles they are authorized to drive?
• Is there a program of driver refresher training in place?
• Are there measures in place to prevent drivers falling from height during sheeting / loading activities?

Speaking on the upcoming campaign, HSENI Principal Inspector Brian Pryce said: “Unfortunately workplace transport continues to be an area responsible for fatalities and major injuries in the workplace. Beginning in June our Inspectors will be visiting quarries throughout Northern Ireland to ensure effective controls are in place to manage the risks associated with workplace transport.”

The inspection template which will be used by HSENI Inspectors can be downloaded at the link below:

• Quarries inspection proforma 2023

Feedback from the 2022 quarry workplace transport inspection campaign can be viewed at the following link:

• Quarries workplace transport inspection campaign 2022-2023

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

Practical guidance on how you may manage work related transport risks on site can be found in HSG136 – ‘A guide to workplace transport safety’. This is available at the link below:

• HSG136 A guide to workplace transport safety (hse.gov.uk)

Notes to editors: 

1. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE), and is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety work standards in Northern Ireland: www.hseni.gov.uk
2. For media enquiries please contact: HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or by email at media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of hours please contact Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

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