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 

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 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. 

The fourth edition of the Code of Practice for the Safe Installation of Precast Concrete Flooring and Associated Components launched by the Precast Flooring Federation on 30th November 2017

An updated Safequarry was launched on 1st March.

Based on feedback from users, the update has been designed to make the health and safety resources held on Safequarry more accessible to all.

This includes over 1,100 examples of good practice, over 400 videos, incident alerts, guidance, toolbox talks and hot topics. Safequarry covers all the products within the mineral products industry.

Please take the opportunity to look at the new website and share the link with your colleagues.

All feedback would be welcome. 

Videos of the entries that either won or were finalists in the 8 Topic Awards can now be viewed on the MPA's video channel.

Also available are videos of the Young Leader Awards, Individual Recognition, John Crabbe and Sir Frank Davies Awards, 'The Fatal 6' feature and an extended video that combines all of the awards. 

Please review these innovations that are improving health and safety in the mineral products industry and see which ones could be applied or adapted to make your workplace safer. Share them with your colleagues.

We are all 'Safer by Sharing'

MPA Webinar on MP Connect - Monday 6th February 2023
Book Now Free of Charge

MP Connect has been developed by MPQC with support from the MPA Safer by Partnership Working Group. With over 15,000 drivers cards now issued, it is strongly recommended by MPA to its members.

The Contractor (individual) element is also now live, with the Contractor (company) element under development. The webinar will provide members with an opportunity to learn more about the features and functionality of MP Connect and will include a Question and Answer session.

From October, HSE Inspectors will be visiting manufacturing business where materials such as stone, rocks, sand and clay are used. This will include: 

• Brick and tile manufacturers 
• Foundries  
• Stone working  

Please see HSE bulletin that provides more information and links to guidance on control measures. 

Employers have a legal duty to put in place suitable arrangements to manage health and safety and ensure they comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

Inspectors will be checking that dutyholders know the risks associated with inhalation of RCS and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health. 

 Please also see the Fatal 4 section on Safequarry