Fall arrest equipment needed for quarry work

Any task involving explosives has the potential to cause injury and death.

However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a number of guidelines as part of its 'Quarry Health and Safety: cutting injury and ill health to zero' improvement drive to assist employers in reducing the risk faced by drillers.

These include the provision of various forms of personal protective equipment to ensure that workers remain safe.

The HSE says: "The risks do not come just from explosives; any work on top of a [quarry] face may be dangerous if the proper procedures are not taken."

For example, fall arrest equipment must be worn when workers are drilling close to the edge of a quarry face.

Noise is also a significant issue when drilling and hearing protection should also be provided.

According to HSE figures, since 2000 over 3,000 workers have suffered a reportable injury, 24 of which were fatal. 

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