Tarmac support MPA Easter Stay Safe campaign

Public urged to keep out of quarries as warmer weather arrives and social distancing and isolation continues

TARMAC are supporting the Mineral Product’s Association’s Easter Stay Safe campaign and urging members of the public to keep away from disused quarry sites as the warmer weather arrives and social distancing and isolation in response to the coronavirus outbreak continues.

Andy Shuttlewood, director of health and safety at Tarmac, said: ‘With access to some parks and open spaces currently restricted, people of all ages may be seeking new places to exercise, as well as some individuals looking for locations where they may be able to gather in small groups unobserved.

‘Quarries may seem tempting places to visit for a variety of reasons but contain many hidden dangers and hazards. It’s vital that for their own safety, all members of the public keep away and do not trespass on these sites.’

There are, on average, five fatalities each year in UK quarries involving members of the public, the majority of which are water-related and occur in disused sites.

Mr Shuttlewood added: ‘As warmer weather arrives quarry lakes may seem attractive to people looking to cool off, but sadly this can prove fatal which is why, as an industry, we continue to educate local communities on this important issue.’

The Stay Safe campaign also supports the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy, which has an objective to achieve a 50% reduction in accidental drowning by 2026, saving over 200 lives per year.