QNJAC, which is made up of representatives from across the industry, produces practical guidance that is adopted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and employers to improve safety, efficiency and ultimately reduce accidents and injuries.
Previously, the Strategic Forum, which is formed of senior leaders in the industry to coordinate activity to focus on key safety issues, focused the industry's attention on safe lock off and isolation (LOTOTO) procedures. Currently, the attention is on pedestrian safety as workplace transport is responsible for 19 per cent of industry fatalities.
As per previous campaigns, the self-audit tool for workplace transport and pedestrian interface has been developed by a working group from QNJAC to complement the handbooks and posters produced by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) and a free e-learning module from Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC).
Following the ‘Plan-Act-Do' methodology, users of the audit can record their findings, use them to write an action plan and make a record of the actions taken as a result of the audit. The questions included in the audit represent a good starting point that will be adequate in most situations.
Simon Day, chair of the working group, said: "Sadly, workplace transport-related incidents still represent a significant proportion of the serious and fatal injuries in our industry. The audit tool has been put together with input from experienced industry professionals and should assist operators to identify areas where they can make real improvements at site level."
Viv Russell, chair of QNJAC added: "The tool represents the latest guidance from our working groups that support the industry in its ambition to improve its performance in key areas. The strength of the QNJAC groups is the collective experience and knowledge of the individuals developing these tools. They know the issues and the industry which ensures the tools are relevant and can deliver real change when adopted by organisations."
The guidance and materials can be found at QNJAC Workplace Transport and Pedestrian Safety self-audit tool.
