Safety first at Marfield Quarry event

Industry leaders share best practice at Mineral Products Association’s annual Northern Safety Day

LAFARGE Aggregates & Concrete UK played host to more than 100 delegates from across the quarrying industry when the Minerals Product Association (MPA) held its annual Northern Safety Day at Marfield Quarry, near Masham, last month.

Quarry operatives and managers joined together at the site in order to share best practice in key subjects, such as road safety, working at height, water issues, stockpile safety and occupational health, through a series of interactive sessions designed to promote greater on-site awareness of safety issues.

During the event, delegates were able to practice their skills in areas including water rescue and equipment management, as well as being able to obtain practical help and advice on a number of pertinent topics from specialists at Lafarge, CEMEX, Tarmac, Rig Systems, John Myers, Volvo and Singleton Birch.

Jon Merchant, site manager at Marfield, said: ‘At Lafarge, safety is very much at the top of our agenda. We truly believe that no job is so important that it is worth getting hurt doing it, and we were keen to share this ethos and work in partnership with our counterparts from throughout the region.

‘This event offered industry bodies a great opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the many challenges faced by quarrying personnel on an almost daily basis.

‘Thanks go to our sponsors, Babcock, Banner Contracts Ltd and Ground Improvements, who helped us to make the event a great success. It is our hope that the lessons learnt from the day will go a long way to ensuring a safer future for all.’