Quarries Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Inspection

12.—(1) The operator shall—

(a) prepare and keep up to date a suitable written scheme for the systematic inspection, maintenance and, where appropriate, testing of—

(i) all parts of the quarry;

(ii) all buildings (whether temporary or permanent) at the quarry; and

(iii) any plant at the quarry, with a view to securing the health and safety of those persons identified in regulation 7(1)(b)(i) and (ii);

(b) ensure that, where appropriate, suitable written reports are made of inspections, maintenance and tests carried out in pursuance of sub-paragraph (a) and that each report records significant defects and the steps taken to remedy them and—

(i) is signed by the person making it; and

(ii) countersigned by an appropriate person in the management structure; and

(c) ensure that a sufficient number of competent persons are appointed to undertake the activities referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b).

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (1)(a) and (b), the said written scheme shall specify that faces above—

(a) every place of work at the quarry; and

(b) every road used by persons at work at the quarry for the purpose of their work or of getting to or from their place of work,

are inspected for loose ground or loose rocks before any work at the quarry commences or re-commences.

(3) In this regulation, “inspection” means such visual or more rigorous inspection by a competent person as is appropriate for the purpose.