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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.

REMEMBER THE SIMPLE MEASURES THAT WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES SAFE FROM COVID 19

The increased amount of travel and social interaction which is now permitted, presents much greater opportunity to contract and transmit Coronavirus and the gains achieved during lockdown could easily be lost. Recent press reports suggest that numbers of cases are increasing and a second wave may already be occurring, with some very localised spikes in businesses and towns.

It is essential that organisations and individuals remain vigilant. The basic control measures (social distancing, good hygiene etc.) that were identified at the outset continue to be relevant and effective.

Members are therefore advised to:

• Ensure their workplaces remain COVID safe
• Review and if necessary supplement the control measures in place
• Conduct regular audits and inspections of the COVID measures
• Monitor compliance with site COVID rules
• Provide regular and frequent refresher toolbox talks to maintain awareness and reinforce the message
• Having contingency measures in place that will ensure that further site shutdowns can be implemented quickly and safely if this becomes necessary.

The MPA’s ‘Ten Rules of Engagement’ are as applicable now as much as ever…

Please go to the COVID 19 section of Safequarry if you want to download any of the free posters.

HSE has issued an article on disinfecting premises. Fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments may be suitable options to help control the spread of Coronavirus, by cleaning and disinfecting larger workspaces/rooms. The article provides information on the different methods available, the suitability and limitations of each system and the safety considerations. Any use of these treatments should be risk assessed.

View Article

HSE has issued a Waste and Recycling eBulletin on ‘not forgetting the basics’ whilst managing COVID-19 risks. Such issues are equally relevant to other sectors and members are reminded to check that they have not lost focus on the day-to-day risks in their operations, whilst managing the COVID-19 risks.

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.

A substantial number of face masks, claiming to be of a KN95 standard, provide an inadequate level of protection and are likely to be poor quality products accompanied by fake or fraudulent paperwork. These face masks may also be known as filtering facepiece respirators.

View HSE Warning

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 letter that reassures drivers, and reminds businesses of their obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, to provide suitable toilet and hand washing facilities to drivers visiting their premises.

View HSE DoT Letter

In response to concerns raised about the risks of air conditioning spreading coronavirus, we have issued advice that the risk of air conditioning spreading coronavirus is extremely low.

If you use a centralised ventilation system that removes and circulates air to different rooms, it is recommended that you turn off recirculation and use a fresh air supply.

You do not need to adjust other types of air conditioning systems. If you’re unsure, speak to your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.

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.