Guidance

NePSi published an updated version of a Respirable Crystalline Silica Monitoring Protocol in June 2021

The main objective of this monitoring protocol is to provide a harmonized methodology to measure exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) of workers employed at member companies of the NEPSI signatories. The project aims to provide a common basic methodology to help those sectors who do not have a standardized monitoring methodology in place and enable these sectors to collect RCS exposure data in a harmonized and representative way.

Guidance is provided on measurement strategy, appropriate sampling and analytical methods, and data management.

The implementation of the protocol is not mandatory, but should be considered as guidance for the development of a dust and quartz monitoring programme within all NEPSI partners.

The NEPSI Good Practice Guide provides practical information for industries working with materials containing crystalline silica to improve workers’ health protection progressively over time.

The guide provides a basic introduction to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and more detailed information on dust control measures and management guidance for specific industries and tasks.  The Good Practice Guide is a comprehensive resource for employers and employees working in the silica industries, available online and downloadable for free:

On Saturday 29th January, a number of changes to the Highway Code came into effect.

To assist its members MPA produced a summary of the changes. The objective was to help avoid the potential for confusion and uncertainty as road users become familiar with the new rules.

One of the most significant introductions is a ‘hierarchy of road users’. This will ensure that people who can cause the most harm in a collision, such as those in vehicles, bear the “greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others”. The bulletin is therefore of particular relevance to drivers of HGVs.

MPA would like to thank CEMEX for allowing MPA to share its work in producing this synopsis.

Following reports of a number of loads for a key customer moving in transit on standard curtain side trailers hauled by sub-contractors, and particularly during the winter months, Wincanton formed a small working party to conduct dynamic testing on various paving products in order to understand and resolve the issues.

The attached presentation details the testing conducted for a wide range of load configurations (palletising, banding, strapping, spacing, corner boards, anti-slip mats) and identifies which configurations provide sufficient dynamic load security. The effects of seasonal weather conditions on dynamic load security are also considered.

This guidance has been produced by a working group of QNJAC which comprises of industry experts from varied backgrounds, the Trades Unions and HSE. 

The purpose of this document is to provide a structured framework to enable organisations to carry out self-audits of transport and pedestrian controls to prove their effectiveness as well as identifying weaknesses in the controls that could lead to serious injury or loss of life. 

Approximately 20% of all fatalities in the mineral extraction industry involve vehicles or other mobile equipment.

In this QNJAC guidance you will find information, images and videos covering all aspects of quarry lagoon inspections, it covers the two types of lagoons commonly found in quarries

Below Ground level lagoons which are excavated into the underlying strata usually represent little hazard in terms of geotechnical failure

Above Ground Level Structures which can be concrete or metal constructions but are most commonly embankment type dams. There are some inherent dangers from a number of geotechnical failure mechanisms so they require careful inspection and monitoring.

QNJAC has produced some new guidance on the selection of geotechnical specialists.

Where a significant hazard has been identified it is the duty of the operator to ensure that a Geotechnical Assessment is carried out by a Geotechnical Specialist

Whilst the operator appoints a Geotechnical Specialist it remains the duty of the operator to:

• Ensure that any significant findings and conclusions are recorded by the geotechnical specialist and that the geotechnical specialist signs and dates the document and records his professional qualifications
• Ensure that any information available to him which may be relevant for the purposes of a geotechnical assessment is made available to the geotechnical specialist undertaking that assessment
• Ensure that any remedial works identified during the geotechnical assessment are completed by the date specified

A new guide has been produced by MPA and Hycontrol to help prevent incidents that are related to silo over-pressurisation. Pneumatic delivery/discharge of powders into silos is an everyday occurrence at both mineral company and customer sites. Deliveries that are not well controlled and monitored or silos that are not correctly equipped and maintained present a significant risk of silo over-pressurisation.

The explosive failure of silos as a result of over pressurisation puts workers lives at risk or serious injury from the impact of flying or falling debris - one of the MPA ‘Fatal 6’ hazards.

MPA and Eurobitume have updated the Bitumen Discharge Permit (BDP) The main change in the new permit is that references to the theoretical design capacity of tanks has been removed.

The revised document is dated January 2022. A detailed toolbox talk on how to use the BDP can now be downloaded from safequarry.com or eurobitume.eu. to assist with training of those associated with bitumen deliveries.

If you have any queries about the BDP please contact your bitumen supplier or Eurobitume UK.

The change has been introduced following an incident in 2020 when there was an uncontrolled bitumen spill. Confusion between the theoretical design capacity and safe working capacity of a bitumen storage tank on the BDP was a significant contributor to a substantial spill of bitumen.

This Guidance Note has been prepared in consultation with the supporting authorities and industries involved

• To outline the potential risks and safety measures that need to be considered
• To provide practical advice to the dredging industry, EOD Contractors and marine aggregate operators on the measures to be taken to reduce the risk of dredging munitions
• To outline the procedures to be followed when suspected munitions are encountered – either on the dredger itself or at the wharf/site while receiving or processing marine dredged minerals whether for beach nourishment, contract land fill or for use as construction aggregate.

MPA has updated the Drivers Handbook,

The purpose of the Driver’s Handbook is to make LGV drivers aware of the risks that they may face or create while driving and operating vehicles and typically understanding how to manage the risks. The handbook outlines what is required of a driver in terms of his or her, vehicle, journey and driving behaviours. In addition it deals with emergency situations and gives practical advice on what to
do to help keep you safe from avoidable harm.

This handbook will help you work with your employer to avoid preventable incidents and injuries to yourself and other people when driving for work. It should be used with your employer’s driving for work policies and procedures.

Please see the link below to the Information Sheet prepared by HSENI regarding ‘Safe cleaning procedures for truck mounted mixing drums’.
 

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is instructing ALL Concrete Operators to review their current risk assessment and safe system of work for cleaning the interior of truck mounted mixing drums.

Concrete Operators should eliminate the need to enter the mixing drum to perform cleaning activities where possible.

 
Inspectors from the Extractive Industry and Waste Group (EIWG) will be requesting evidence of Concrete Operators risk assessment, safe system of work and training records for this work activity during future inspections.