The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is carrying out a two-week quarry safety inspection campaign between 14th and 25th March 2022.
The focus of the Spring Quarry Safety Campaign is on safe machinery operation, machinery guarding, and maintenance activities. With around 500 quarry developments operating throughout Ireland, prioritising machinery safety is essential to reduce the risk of incidents and prevent serious or fatal injuries.

There are two main types of quarry activity in Ireland – rock quarries and sand and gravel pit quarries – both of which involve the use of heavy and large machinery. In the ten-year period from 2012 to 2021, quarrying, mining and associated manufacturing activities accounted for 10 work-related fatalities across the country.

HSA inspectors will be focusing on the key hazards that exist when operating quarry machinery or carrying out maintenance in quarries. They will also ensure that safe work practices and proactive measures are in place to reduce the risk of incidents, including serious or fatal injuries.

During this campaign, HSA inspectors will provide information, advice, and make employers aware of resources available to help reduce risks involving machinery, particularly during machinery maintenance.
For more information on the campaign, visit HSA Quarry Safety.

In support of the Spring Quarry Safety Campaign, Dynamic Safety Solutions have prepared and made available a series of free toolbox talks for quarries to assist quarry owners and health and safety managers in promoting proactive measures in machinery safety.