Quarries among country’s riskiest workplaces

PEOPLE working in quarries are involved in one of the most dangerous occupations in Ireland, a major industrial conference heard yesterday.

Delegates at the fourth annual National Quarry Safety Conference in Athlone, Co Westmeath were told too many quarry owners were also dependent on good fortune rather than proper safety practices to minimise the number of work-related accidents.

This year is set to be one of the worst on record for such accidents. Five people have died due to accidents at quarries so far in 2005; last year no such fatalities were recorded.

A total of 51 people have died in similar accidents over the past decade. The conference, organised by the Health and Safety Authority, heard that quarrying in Ireland has a very poor safety record.

Opening the conference, junior Enterprise Minister Tony Killeen said the harsh working environment associated with quarries meant it was essential health and safety management systems were put into practice.

“It is of extreme concern that taken over an extended period, quarrying has the highest fatality rates per 100,000 workers with an average of 24 per 100,000 over the last 10 years,” said Mr Killeen.

It represents a fatality rate more than double the number of deaths in agriculture and the construction industry - two sectors that have relatively poor safety records with regard to work-related deaths.

Mr Killeen said the increase in fatalities at quarries could be related to increased output and activity within the sector.

“Statistics show that the same type of accident reoccurs each year in Irish quarries,” said Mr Killeen. “While clearly some are making great efforts, unfortunately, too many quarries rely on good luck rather than good safety management to prevent accidents.”