HSENI / HSA - All-Island Concrete Block Making Safety Campaign

The HSENI and the HSA have launched a joint All‑Island Concrete Block Making Safety Inspection Campaign, which commenced on Monday 11th May and will run for 2 weeks. This is the first ever all-island safety campaign targeting the quarry industry.

It will focus on block‑making operations and associated activities, with inspectors from both jurisdictions carrying out coordinated inspections across the island of Ireland.

The objective of the campaign is to promote safer working practices in the manufacturing of concrete blocks using mobile block making plant, which can present significant risks due to the routine use of large and powerful machinery.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Brian Pryce, Principal Inspector, HSENI, said: “This joint campaign highlights the serious risks present in block making operations, particularly from vehicle movements and unguarded machinery. Through coordinated inspections, we want to reinforce the absolute necessity for robust safety systems, effective isolation procedures, and proper control of high‑risk maintenance activities across the sector.”

During the campaign, HSENI and HSA inspectors will be seeking evidence of effective controls and compliance in the following key areas:

• Work‑related vehicle safety, including pedestrian-vehicle segregation;
• Appropriate training for drivers of loading shovels and industrial trucks/fork‑lift trucks;
• Safe systems of work for concrete manufacturing, block‑making and strapping processes;
• Adequate isolation and Lock Out, Tag Out, Try Out (LOTOTO) procedures during cleaning and maintenance activities;
• Suitable guarding of machinery and conveyors;
• Functional and effective safety devices, and
• Safe use of chemicals involved in the block‑making process.

Over the five‑year period 2021–2025, quarrying and associated manufacturing activities accounted for three fatalities in Northern Ireland and five in the Republic of Ireland.

A significant proportion of serious and fatal incidents within the sector arise from pedestrian-vehicle interactions and from unguarded machinery, including conveyor systems. Maintenance activities involving fixed and mobile machinery also present a high level of risk and must be effectively managed through adequate isolation and control procedures.

Hilary Byrne, Senior Inspector with the HSA: “We welcome the opportunity to work closely with HSENI Inspectors and industry stakeholders as part of this joint All‑Island safety campaign. Block‑making operations can be particularly hazardous workplaces, given the scale and power of the machinery involved. Employers must actively carry out suitable risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures, including safe systems of work, to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and visitors to these sites.”

Welcoming the all-island campaign, Gordon Best, Regional Director, Mineral Products Association (Northern Ireland) said: “This campaign provides an important opportunity to reinforce best practice in quarry block making across the island. Our members recognise that effective training, safe systems of work and well‑maintained guarding and safety devices are critical to preventing serious incidents.”

Irish Concrete Federation’s Chief Executive, Gerry Farrell, said: “The Irish Concrete Federation strongly supports this all‑island inspection campaign and encourages all members to engage positively with it. Safety is a shared responsibility and strong standards in block making operations are essential to protecting workers fostering a proactive safety culture and enhancing operational efficiency.”

Further resources on quarry safety are available at Manufacturing | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together and Quarrying - Health and Safety Authority (HSA).