‘Target Zero’ Action Plan launch at Hillhead 2009

THE ‘Target Zero’ Action Plan package will be launched by the Health and Safety Executive on 23 June next year at Hillhead 2009. The overarching objectives of the ‘Target Zero’ initiative are: a fully competent workforce by 2010; and zero reportable quarry site RIDDORs by 2015.

A number of high-profile speakers will be contributing to the launch event, to which senior industry executives, union officials and others involved with the health and safety advancement process will be invited.

Also, for safety reasons, in recent weeks development work has taken place at Hillhead Quarry in the first phase of a long-term plan to split the 24m high face at the exhibition site.

Following a blast which yielded 12,900 tonnes of stone, the layout now incorporates a ramp to a box cutting that will form the first section of the new bench. Below this is a lower bench, formed from material left over from the last show, that will serve as the platform from which material will be loaded out.

The blast was planned and undertaken by leading contractors Blasting Services Ltd, and a slow-motion video of the blast can be found on the new show website by clicking on the link below.

It is anticipated that both the HSE event and the new face layout will help maintain the appeal of Hillhead, which, despite the current economic climate, remains very heavily booked.

Event director Jack Berridge has attributed this buoyant situation to the fact that suppliers to the industry, both large and small, have indicated that they will be concentrating their 2009 promotional efforts on the Hillhead show.