Electricity at Quarries

Sir, – I would like to clarify an issue of importance to quarry managers and operators.

The HSE publication ‘The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), The Use of Electricity at Quarries, Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989’ (COP 35) gives practical guidance with respect to the Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989 and Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, 1974 in so far as those provisions relate to the use of electricity at work within quarries.

The Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee of the HSE’s Metals and Minerals Sector has reviewed the question of what form such guidance should continue to take following the introduction of The Quarries Regulations, 1999 and associated ACOP (L118), The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, 1998 and associated ACOP (L22), and other recent regulations. This matter is still under consideration by the Executive.

Until such time as the status of the Electricity at Work ACOP is changed, however, it clearly remains in force. Some sections of the industry have indicated that they have been made aware of or advised that the ACOP has been withdrawn. This is not the case. In the event of any such change, it will be accompanied by appropriate publicity and information from the HSE.

Yours etc,