| Title | Short Description | Source | Date |
| Fatal 5 - MPA Bulk powder delivery checklist - Updated March 2023 | Over-pressurisation of silos during deliveries can result in silos rupturing or filter housings being ejected and a significant risk of ‘struck by’ injuries. ‘Struck by flying or falling objects’ is one of the MPA’s ‘Fatal 6’; the high consequence hazards responsible for most of the major injuries and fatalities within the sector.
The MPA checklist for bulk powder deliveries can be used by those businesses delivering mineral powders to take a structured approach to assess silo safety at customer sites. The checklist has been updated to emphasise that the main safety concern when delivering powders pneumatically is over-pressurisation, which can result in catastrophic failure. Checking that the measures and controls identified in this document are applied, fitted and functioning correctly will help to eliminate or reduce such risks.
| MPA | 01/05/2023 |
| HSE alert on floor gratings | HSE has issued the a safety bulletin on unsafe use of polymer floor grating systems in the offshore sector. Whilst the alert relates to the off shore industries many elements are relevant to the mineral products industry. Floor gratings are used extensively within the minerals industry for process plant flooring and access walkways. The bulletin serves as a useful general reminder that any floor gratings, whether made of polymer or metal should be installed in accordance with the OEM guidance and included within inspection programmes to ensure that they remain, secure and free from damage and corrosion Operators should ensure that there are up to date risk assessments and safe systems of work in place for inspecting and maintaining floors and ensuring appropriate safety measures are in place when floors are lifted. From HSE alert Duty holders and employers should identify all areas of grating systems across installations and workplaces, and carry out a suitable and sufficient review to ensure they are safe to use. Safety critical areas such as escape routes should be prioritised. Please follow this link to the HSE alert | HSE | 14/04/2023 |
| Stress Awareness Month - April 2023 | MPA is supporting Stress Awareness Month which runs during April and the HSE’s Working Minds campaign. The Working Minds campaign aims to prevent work-related stress and promote good mental health in the workplace.
The HSE has compiled a list of resources to assist employers and workers during Stress Awareness Month this April.
Users can also view the mental health and wellbeing page on Safequarry and download the MPA’s guidance for managers and employees.
| MPA | 05/04/2023 |
| Apology regarding recent alerts | MPA has been updating the alert system on Safequarry to improve the appearance of the alerts and to bring them into line with the recent update of the Safequary website.
After the system went live, a number of old alerts were sent out that had been used in the testing of the new system. In addition to this, an alert was sent out stating that no alerts had been added to the system that day. These bugs have now been fixed.
Apologies for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused our users.
| MPA | 21/03/2023 |
| Employees - Recognising and managing Mental Health and Wellbeing issues | The Employee guide on mental health and wellbeing provides information on how to recognise mental health issues and where individuals may seek assistance .
It is one of two guides on Mental Health and Wellbeing produced by the MPA, the second is a guide for managers. Both can be found by clicking on the Health and wellbeing tab on the top menu of Safequarry and then clicking on Mental health and wellbeing.
Free hard copies of the Employee guide are available to MPA members and can be ordered from [email protected]"
Please contact Tony Entwistle for more information about the support MPA provides at [email protected]"
| MPA | 20/03/2023 |