Topic 8 - Highly Commended
The operational and dormant units in North Wales suffer from trespass, as they are in areas of natural beauty frequented by locals and tourists. These sites often gain attention in warmer periods of the year with people seeking to swim or just to investigate the quarries.
To protect the public, Tarmac have employed a full-time security operative who also works closely with North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) and the local community to gain information on intruders and stop their activities.
The MPA recently commissioned a case study and reported that Tarmac takes the issue of unauthorised access and cliff jumping / swimming seriously and have a risk management system in place that identifies the relevant hazards alongside the appropriate control measures for both the site itself and its perimeter.
Image of Pant Quarry with dye added
An emergency action plan has been developed in conjunction with the NEWSAR team, that Tarmac sponsor who also carry out talks to local schools, and groups, where they include the dangers of open waters within quarries.
Tarmac also works with the Police dive teams for quarry water training purposes and to recently assist in the making of a safety video that demonstrates the dangers of open waters particularly those in quarries.
In addition, Tarmac work very closely with the local community in a preventative way to assist in reducing the likelihood of incidents involving members of the local community. Security guard patrols take place every day, occasionally backed up by police officers as part of local liaison meetings. The security guard is very experienced, with over 10 years' experience. In addition, Tarmac employs a business to undertake monthly boundary inspections where any damage and access points are repaired and reported.
Annually water bodies are dyed dark in appearance to reduce the attractiveness of the waters to potential swimmers.
Young swimmers in quarry
Please see the additional pdf to find out more about Tarmac's actions to keep the public safe.