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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.

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. 

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.

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  [email protected]  by MPA members whilst stocks remains. 

Downloadable cards provide advice to individuals that own, manage or are responsible for a specific business or organisation within the community on how to respond to a COVID-19 outbreak by;

• Identifying an outbreak of COVID-19 (one or more confirmed case depending on the business or organisation)
• Reporting the outbreak to your local health protection team
• Working with your local health protection team to respond

Each situation has an individual Action Card which provides specific COVID-19 Early Outbreak Management Information for that location. The Action Cards are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on-hand in your business or organisation. (Please note these assets are cleared for use in England only.)

Aggregate Industries has created a short video which provides some helpful advice and practical examples of how to manage COVID-19 safety on minerals sites.

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.

It may be necessary for members to temporarily close some operational sites due to the coronavirus outbreak. Sites that are unoccupied may become an increased target for intruders, whether for the theft of materials and equipment or vandalism. This briefing is intended to summarise the main issues that should be considered when closing a site.

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.