Aggregate Industries' multi-million-pound Bardon Hill Quarry extension includes the removal of 7.5 million cubic metres of waste clays, installing a new primary crusher and constructing over 4km of overland conveyors. The five-year construction project stretches over a 250 hectare site and is due to complete in Summer 2019.
The health and safety of the construction workforce and quarry operators on this project is the highest priority. Long before construction commenced, a strategy was developed for managing the interaction between the construction and quarrying activities – Project Sence
All construction activities are undertaken under CDM 2015 Regulations, whilst quarry development and waste removal activities fall under Quarry Regulations 1999. Home International (KHI) were appointed as the Construction Management Contractor as well as Principal Contractor/Principal Designer under CDM 2015.
The following measures were put in place to ensure the safety of all involved with the project and the effective management, control and separation of the quarrying and construction activities.
Selection of Contractors – Safety was central to the procurement process. As part of their tender submission, each contractor was required to provide evidence that adequate resources were available to correctly implement the Construction Phase Plan (CPP). A detailed HSE profile was prepared for all submissions which informed the selection of a contractor with a proactive and positive safety culture.The CPP is formally issued to each contractor prior to commencement of work activities in order to ensure that they have been made aware of the HSE requirements, expectations and issues associated with the project. All contractors must ensure that the CPP and all other relevant information are issued and communicated to all their subcontractors, before they enter the site
Segregation – Construction and quarry areas were clearly defined and segregated in order to inform communication and to control access, egress, mobile equipment movement and on-site logistics. Light vehicle routes have been established to separate them from the quarry plant and to control where and how they interact. Light vehicle routes were continually reviewed to ensure segregation as the project evolved.
Transfer of Responsibility (TOR) – A TOR process was used to formally release the control of project areas from the quarry management teams to the principal contractor. TOR planning meetings were held between all parties to define the extent of construction areas, expected interface between quarry operations and construction activities and how this would be safely managed to ensure compliance with CDM 2015 and Quarry regulations 1999.
Safety Systems – All contractors received a Project Sence induction when they arrived on-site which included; site rules, expected behaviours, PPE, RAMS and emergency procedures. Contractors were responsible for delivering their activity specific induction to their workforce.
Risk assessments and method statements were submitted by contractors for every task prior to any work commencing. Once they were accepted by KHI, a permit to work was issued. Regular site visits and audits were undertaken by KHI and the contractor to ensure compliance
The construction workforce undertook personal dynamic risk assessments prior to commencement of any activity using the KHI 'Take five booklet'.T
The KHI Safety Observation booklet is a pro-active tool that helps to identify hazards and trends. The booklet can also be used to identify good practice, safe acts, safe behaviours and safety suggestions. Weekly feedback to the workforce including progress against hazards identified.
Communication and engagement – Regular coordination meetings between the Project Sence Management Team, KHI and the Quarry Management teams were essential in establishing and maintaining a consistent and positive safety culture amongst the construction workforce.
This included kick off meetings prior to the commencement of construction work to establish the goals and objectives for the project, to communicate essential HSE information, to
Communication and engagement – Regular coordination meetings between the Project Sence Management Team, KHI and the Quarry Management teams were essential in establishing and maintaining a consistent and positive safety culture amongst the construction workforce.
This included kick off meetings prior to the commencement of construction work to establish the goals and objectives for the project, to communicate essential HSE information, to Daily co-ordination meetings and weekly contractor progress meetings were held covering all aspects of safety. These were reinforced with daily and weekly site inspections, pre-shift meetings, weekly HSE bulletins and toolbox talks based on the project schedule and upcoming risks. KHI actively engaged and listened to front line workers in order to promote safety and understand what safety issues and challenges they faced.
BENEFITS
- To March 2018, 616,774 hours have been worked with one LTI
- 34 incidents and 60 near misses reported
- 888 days worked since the last LTI was reported
- Strong safety culture across all staff
- A safer and healthier environment for all.