Scottish quarry operators join forces in national safety campaign

20th June 2013

Every year, young people who venture into quarries unsupervised are killed or seriously injured. Operators know from past experience that the warmer weather and the start of the school holidays herald an increase in these tragic incidents.

In 2012, four teenage boys were drowned in disused quarries across the UK. Over the last the bank holiday weekend, a teenage boy and the man who was trying to rescue him from a lake in a disused quarry were both killed. All too often, these accidents occur because youngsters do not appreciate the potential hazards involved. They and their friends perceive their activities as harmless fun until they get into difficulties.

Scotland has over 200 active quarries producing over 28 million tonnes of aggregates per year and many older workings. Therefore, the Scottish quarry operators are joining forces with MPA Scotland (Mineral Products Association) to keep safety in the spotlight as part of its annual "Stay Safe" campaign. The campaign will continue over the summer with school presentations and organised quarry visits across Scotland.

An April 2013 survey by the MPA showed that over 40% of the quarries responding in the Scotland, primarily those located near urban conurbations, had experienced problems with trespass in the last twelve months. Whilst teenagers are the greatest cause for concern, many quarries also reported adult trespass. The MPA survey also analysed the main motivations for trespass. The most common was theft, usually of cables and fuel, at 55%. Other reasons included recreational activities such as walking (40%), trail and quad bike riding (23%), swimming (22%) wildlife spotting (15%) and rock climbing (8%).

"It is worrying enough that adults put their own lives on the line," says MPA’s Executive Director, John Sheridan "But by breaking down fencing and engaging in these activities, they are clearly setting a dangerous example for young people. Through their thoughtless actions, they are potentially exposing young people to the dangers of industrial sites that they then treat as adventure playgrounds."

Even very strong swimmers can get into difficulty in the extremely cold or deep water often present in quarry lakes – with the added threat of falling rocks, concealed equipment, unexpected currents and pumps operating beneath the surface, and in some limestone quarries, the alkalinity of the water.

Face edges that can give way suddenly, steep drops concealed by vegetation, falling rocks and silt ponds, that can act like quick sand, create hazards for walkers and climbers.

Unstable terrain and moving plant make quarries unsuitable for trial and quad bikes.

John Sheridan said: "There are many other places to enjoy recreational activities and a sense of adventure without encountering these hidden and unexpected hazards.

I hope that parents, teachers and anyone working with young people can help us get the critical safety message across: please stay safe and stay out of quarries unless you are on a supervised visit."