Safety: Quarry perils spelled out

Every year, young people put themselves at risk of injury and even death in their local quarries.

A teenage boy drowned in a quarry in Lancashire only last month, and a fresh summer holiday safety alert has been issued to make sure people are aware of the dangers..

Elizabeth Clements of the Mineral Products Association, the industry body for the quarrying industry, said: “Young people will be looking for excitement and places to hang out with their friends.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I would like to appeal to parents to ensure that their youngsters are not tempted to enter into local quarries uninvited.

“While some of the hazards that they may expose themselves to are obvious, others are less so. The water in quarries can, for example, be icy cold and deep with unexpected currents and obstacles hidden beneath the water. Quarry edges can be unstable. Caves dug into sand stockpiles can collapse on you.

“As part of our annual campaign, the Mineral Products Association has a Facebook page Stay Safe ... Stay Out of Quarries which includes videos that highlight not just what can happen if you venture into a quarry without permission but also the huge impact that the death of a young person in a quarry accident has on their friends and families.

“ They are resources we hope parents and other members of the community will use to help deliver our warning. The videos can also be viewed on YouTube (type in - Stay Safe Stay Out of Quarries)

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our message and the message of the parents of boys who have been killed whilst trespassing in quarries and are now supporting the campaign is simple - unless you are invited on an organised visit by the quarry operator.” )

Related topics: