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This guidance is for dutyholders and inspectors. It has information about how to meet your legal obligations to carry out thorough examination and testing of equipment during the coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak.

Eurobitume UK Guidance May 2020 - This document provides guidance on the short and medium/long-term storage of bitumen in a bulk bitumen storage tank. This guidance must be used alongside the plant-based risk assessment for you to decide the most appropriate option. Careful management of temperature will help preserve the bitumen’s quality.

This will be of particular interest to operations that have been shut down and are now re-starting.

A more detailed publication aimed at Directors and Managers, this provides guidance on operating safely during the COVID 19  pandemic and provides links to important sources of information and updates, including from Government and non-Government organisations.

This complements the Managers and Employees pocket guides which are also accessible on Safequarry. A range of posters are also downloadable from Safequarry which are based on the cartoons and key the health and safety messages. 

A pocket book that outlines 10 simple Rules of Engagement for employees returning to work, 10 ways of behaving that will help to keep them, their family and their colleagues safe.

It highlights how these behaviours can be applied in a range of different situations, commencing from when an employee leaves home, a range of activities they might engage in or locations they might visit during a normal working day. It concludes with a safe return home.

MPA has issued a Direct to its members with recommendations on the continuing use of  COVID 19 protective measures following the Government changes introduced on the 19th July.

In a separate discussion with MPA, the HSE have highlighted the following points

• Nothing changes - employers are expected to maintain Covid 19 control measures in the workplace.
• We are still in a pandemic, not an endemic (e.g. seasonal flu)
• People can make choices socially but the workplace is different – workers still need to be protected in the workplace
• Double vaccination is not seen as a control measure as its effectiveness against variants and over the longer term are unknown
• The five main elements for control are:
  • Social distancing
  • Reducing social contacts (physical barriers/cohorts etc.)
  • Surface cleaning
  • Hygiene (washrooms etc)
  • Ventilation
• HSE will continue to inspect and enforce on Covid safety, using the Management Regulations and HSWA as a basis
• Employers need to maintain, review and update Covid risk assessments which should identify appropriate controls and reference the guidance
• BEIS website is useful source of information https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19

Good ventilation is one of the main measures recommended to control Covid-19 and reduce the risk of transmission within enclosed spaces. The British Occupational Hygiene Society has produced this helpful FAQ document  which provides information on general ventilation and mechanical ventilation and the factors which can improve or reduce effectiveness.

The recent announcements from the Government regarding the easing of COVID-19 restrictions provides a useful reminder for quarry operators to review their public safety risk assessments and any site specific mitigation measures.

Based on experience from last year, it is likely that there will be a significant increase in members of the public seeking to engage in water based activities at inland open water sites. Quarry lakes may be seen by some people as tempting locations for a for a quick dip. Therefore, MPA is urging its members to check their sites prior to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and warmer weather.

The following two documents provide guidance on the management of public safety. They include useful summaries of best practice and outline the statutory duties of those responsible for the land/site;

MPA's 'Guidelines for the management of public safety on MPA members' operational and non-operational sites'

RoSPA's 'Managing safety at inland water' 

Hanson has produced a suite of 3 posters that illustrate the correct way to wear and manage face masks.

Hanson have agreed to unbranded versions of the posters to be shared across the industry. The 3 posters can be downloaded from the Other Resources section of Safequarry.

Please find attached a letter from the Minister effectively confirming our sectors continuing essential role, and consequent guidance in terms of continued operations during the current heightened ‘lockdown’. 

Of particular note are the following highlights:

•  “firms and tradespeople in the construction sector and its supply chain, including merchants, suppliers and product manufacturers, should continue to operate during this national lockdown”
• “Whether delivering on large or small construction sites, and in peoples' homes across the country, in builders' merchants, designing and project managing schemes or producing construction and mineral products, you are making a major contribution to the economic recovery following Covid-19.”

 This guidance is no doubt issued on the assumption that as an industry we continue to operate in a Covid secure way. It remains of vital importance therefore that operators who are continuing to work, ensure that robust steps have been taken to protect their workforce and to continually check that high standards are being maintained. 

Once again we would draw attention to the MPA’s Covid guidance and resources which can be used to assist in the ongoing development and implementation of your own Covid security measures.

PASSWORD REQUIRED TO VIEW – PLEASE TYPE IN      CRH-COVID-Awareness

CRH has produced a powerful video that highlights the personal impact that the virus had on two CRH workers in a cement plant. It also features an ICU Nurse who talks about her experience treating patients with COVID-19 and the devastating effect it can have on them. The workers talk about their emotions and personal experience of coping with COVID-19.

The video provides a stark reminder of why we all need to continue being Covid-Safe in our personal and professional lives.

PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE

MPA has launched a new set of posters to help remind everyone to Stay COVID-19 Alert.

Digital copies can be downloaded from  the Manager and Employee COVID 19 Guidance Section on Safequarry that can be accessed via the button on the  Home page of Safequarry.  

Free hard copies can be ordered from  david.yelland@mineralproducts.org  by MPA members whilst stocks remains. 

As Covid-19 cases are on the rise nationally, it is useful to consider any  additional measure to reduce the potential for transmission in the workplace.  The attached poster has been created to publicise and communicate CEMEX’s new  ‘Mask and Move’ policy for shared offices. Members may wish to consider whether introducing such a policy could be a useful additional control measure within their operations.

CEMEX has recently implemented a ‘Mask and Move’ Policy  in all shared office areas. This means that staff are asked to wear a face covering whenever they are away from their desk or workstation in all shared office areas and applies to everyone other than those who would normally be exempt from the mandatory wearing of face coverings under government guidelines. A poster is also downloadable from the resources section of Safequarry