Who we are

Inspectors

HSE has operational inspectors who deal with the quarry industry on a day to day basis. The Inspectors form the Quarries National Inspection Team (QNIT) and use a range of methods including:

• Onsite inspections (announced and unannounced).
• Investigation of accidents and complaints.
• Providing guidance and support at visits, by phone or letter and at quarry industry events, exhibitions etc.
• Enforcement where necessary.

Sectors

One of these is the Manufacturing Sector which has staff based around the country and is split into specific industry sections. The Quarries section deals specifically with quarries and opencast coal sites and is based in HSE's Northampton office.

Quarry Section

This Section is responsible for policy, legal and generic health and safety issues relating to the quarrying and opencast coal industries as well as stakeholder engagement activities, as part of which it takes an active role in dealing with key stakeholders including:

• Providing support, advice and guidance at a national level to HSE operational inspectors
• Developing and helping deliver HSE’s plan of work for manufacturing industries
• Developing strategies to meet the Government’s Revitalising Health and Safety targets on reducing injuries and occupational ill health
• Monitoring the health and safety performance of the industry
• Working with key industry stakeholders (e.g. trade associations, trade unions, professional institutions and committees such as the QNJAC) to improve health and safety
• Producing published guidance for the industry in consultation with key stakeholders