MB439/SWW07 21 August 2007             

HSC chair visits St Austell quarry as industry goes for target zero  

On a visit to St Austell’s Imerys china clay quarry, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), Sir Bill Callaghan congratulated the industry on its continuing drive to improve its health and safety performance.  

Sir Bill said:   

“My first official visit as HSC Chair back in 1999 was to a quarry.  At that time the industry had a poor safety record – its fatality rate averaged three times that of construction.  Tough action was needed and, I’m glad to say, taken – two years ago the industry reported a 52% drop in reportable injuries. 

“And now it is working towards ‘Target Zero’ - no reportable injuries by 2015 – a commitment which shows quarrying’s ambition to be a world-class performer in health and safety.   But the most recent injury figures have risen, so this can only be achieved if everyone in the industry plays their part. Involving workers in key issues, and ensuring training and competency will be pivotal in meeting the ‘Target Zero’ goal.  

“As I prepare to leave HSC I am pleased to return to a quarry and mark the strong and productive relationship between the regulator and this industry.”

Ivor Bowditch, Imerys Community and Public Relations Manager said:   

“We are delighted to welcome Sir Bill Callaghan and his colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive.  The Company has a proud record with regard to health and safety and Imerys is committed to meeting the industry’s ‘Target Zero’ goal”.

Notes for Editors

1. The HSC has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulation in Great Britain. The Commission consists of 10 people nominated by bodies with an interest in workplace health and safety. The HSE’s job is to help the HSC ensure that risks to people’s health and safety from work activities is properly controlled.   For more information see www.hse.gov.uk
2. In 2000, the quarry industry adopted “Target Zero” which builds on the highly successful “Hard Targets” initiative (which achieved a 52% reduction in reportable injuries over a five year period). However, for the most recent reporting year (2005-2006), reportable RIDDOR accidents increased from 317 (for 2004-2005) to 331 (for 2005-2006), a 4.4% increase.     For more information on quarrying health and safety see http://www.hse.gov.uk/quarries/index.htm
3. The GB quarry industry is diverse, covering coal, industrial minerals, kaolin, ball clay, brick clay, barites, gypsum, silica sands, fluorspar, china stone, slate, fullers’ earth, limestone, dolomite, basalt, and aggregates. It is an essential part of the British economy as quarry products are used not only for construction and road building, but also in the majority of manufacturing such as paper, glass, rock wool, ceramics, pottery, paints, plastics, rubber, medicines, toothpaste and cosmetics, agriculture and food. It consists of some 25,000 direct employees, 25,000 contractors and daily 35-40,000 lorry drivers. 
4. Imerys employs 1800 people in Cornwall, and estimates it contributes over £80 million to the local economy each year. It believes the area has enough accessible reserves of China Clay to sustain extraction for the next 10 –15 years.    

Press enquiries:

Martin Battersby, GNN, tel: 07989429157 Martin.Battersby@gnn.gsi.gov.uk