AOS success for trio of BAA members

Certificates awarded to Smiths (Bletchington), William Thompson & Son, and Longwood Quarries

MIKE Phillips, chief executive officer of the British Aggregates Association (BAA), recently visited Smith & Sons (Bletchington) Ltd to present three new Assessment of Operating Standards (AOS) certificates.

The AOS scheme provides third-party accreditation to BAA members’ operations, demonstrating that the operational activities in their quarries meet the necessary standards and are being managed and operated competently.

Smith & Sons (Bletchington) Ltd’s Dewars Quarry was awarded Quarry of the Year 2022, whilst William Thompson & Son (Dumbarton) Ltd’s Sheephill Quarry and Longwood Quarries Ltd’s Longwood Quarry were both Highly Commended.

Mike Tetley, HM Chief Inspector of Quarries, said: ‘The BAA’s AOS scheme provides independent oversight of the health and safety compliance at member’s sites, set against established criteria aimed at regulatory compliance.

‘Quarries achieving successful accreditation have demonstrated a good level health and safety compliance, which is an important element of the health and safety management system. It also complements a requirement of the Quarries Regulations 1999, to review health and safety measures.’