S.I. No. 283/2025 - Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations 2025

• (c) persons are prevented from forcibly removing any detonator lead or other system for initiating shots from a shothole at a quarry after the shothole has been charged and primed,

• (d) a shot at a quarry is only fired where there is sufficient visibility for the work preparatory to shotfiring, the shotfiring operation and any site inspection after the shot is fired, to be carried out safely,

• (e) a shothole in which a shot has previously been fired is not charged or fired unless the person charging or firing the shothole is dealing with a misfire under Regulation 51,

• (f) a shot at a quarry is only fired —

• (i) by an explosives supervisor, shotfirer or trainee shotfirer, or

• (ii) by means of a suitable exploder that is kept at a secure place at the quarry, or by other suitable means provided by the operator, and

• (g) procedures are in place to prevent a person, other than an explosives supervisor, a shotfirer or trainee shotfirer, from disposing of surplus explosives, ANBI, detonators, accessories or packaging remaining following shotfiring operations.

PART 6 SAFETY OF EXCAVATIONS (INCLUDING QUARRY FACES), TIPS AND LAGOONS

General duty to ensure safety of excavations, tips and lagoons

54.

• (a) excavations (including quarry faces), tips and lagoons are designed, operated and maintained, and

• (b) tips and lagoons are constructed,

so that, so far as is reasonably practicable, instability or movement which is likely to give rise to a risk to the safety, health and welfare of any person is avoided.

Operating procedures for excavations, tips and lagoons

55.

• (a) the manner in which such operation is to be carried out,

• (b) the nature and extent of supervision of such operation, and

• (c) the protective measures to be taken during such operation to ensure the safety, health and welfare of any person and the safety and stability of the excavation, tip or lagoon.

Appraisal and site investigation of excavations, tips and lagoons

56.

• (2) Where the face height of an excavation in a particular area of the quarry planned to be worked exceeds 20 metres, the operator shall ensure that, before quarrying operations commence or re-commence in that particular area, a geotechnical assessment is carried out in accordance with Regulation 57.

• (3) Where an appraisal by a competent person under paragraph (1) identifies a significant hazard that cannot be rectified immediately in a safe manner, the operator shall ensure that the provisions of subparagraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (5) are complied with.

• (4) Where an appraisal by a competent person under paragraph (1) identifies a potential significant hazard that cannot be rectified immediately in a safe manner, the operator shall ensure that —

• (a) the provisions of subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (5) are complied with, and

• (b) a geotechnical specialist carries out a site investigation to determine whether a geotechnical assessment under Regulation 57 is required.

• (5) Where the conclusion reached by the geotechnical specialist, following a site investigation made under paragraph (4), is that the excavation, tip or lagoon represents a significant hazard, the operator shall ensure that —

• (a) appropriate protective measures are taken, including informing all persons affected by it,

• (b) only work that can be carried out safely is undertaken at the excavation, tip or lagoon, and

• (c) a geotechnical assessment is carried out in accordance with Regulation 57.

• (6) The operator shall ensure that —

• (a) any significant findings, and

• (b) any conclusions reached and the reasons for those conclusions,

that are made under an appraisal or a site investigation under this Regulation are recorded by the competent person or the geotechnical specialist, as the case may be and acted upon as necessary.

Geotechnical assessments

57.

• (a) preparation, by or under the supervision of the geotechnical specialist of any of the documents and particulars specified in Schedule 4 or, as appropriate, consideration by the geotechnical specialist of those documents and particulars,

• (b) the conclusions of the geotechnical specialist as to —

• (i) the safety and stability of the existing or proposed excavation, tip or lagoon being assessed, including his or her conclusions as to whether the excavation, tip or lagoon represents a significant hazard by way of instability or movement,

• (ii) whether any remedial works are required in relation to the excavation, tip or lagoon being assessed and the date by which such works should be completed,

• (iii) the date by which the next geotechnical assessment should take place, and

• (iv) where appropriate, any required changes to the operating procedures in respect of the excavation, tip or lagoon.

• (2) The operator shall ensure that —

• (a) any significant findings made during a geotechnical assessment required under this Regulation, in particular any conclusions under paragraph (1)(b), and the reasons for those conclusions, are recorded by the geotechnical specialist carrying out the assessment,

• (b) the geotechnical specialist signs and dates any record under subparagraph (a) and records his or her professional qualifications thereon,

• (c) any available information that may be relevant for the purposes of a geotechnical assessment is made available to the geotechnical specialist undertaking that assessment,

• (d) sufficient records of the nature, quantity and location of all substances accumulated or deposited at an excavation, tip or lagoon are kept to enable an accurate assessment of the stability of that excavation, tip or lagoon to be made,

• (e) any remedial works identified during the geotechnical assessment in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(ii) are completed by the date specified in the assessment or before quarrying operations are commenced or recommenced,

• (f) where the conclusion reached by a geotechnical specialist in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) is that there is no significant hazard, the frequency with which an appraisal under Regulation 56 is to be carried out in the future in order to ensure the continued safety and stability of the excavation, tip or lagoon is specified by the geotechnical specialist and recorded and acted upon as necessary, and

• (g) copies of all geotechnical assessments are kept at the quarry for inspection and are retained by the operator for at least 6 years from the date they were made.

PART 7 GENERAL HEALTH HAZARDS

Health hazards

58.

• (2) The preventive measures referred to in paragraph (1) shall include —

• (a) wherever possible, the replacement of a hazardous substance by a harmless or less hazardous substance,

• (b) technical measures applied to the plant, machinery, equipment or process, or

• (c) where it is not possible to comply with subparagraph (a) or (b), other effective measures, including the use of personal protective equipment and protective clothing.

Atmospheric influences

59.

Disposal of waste

60.

Stationary internal combustion engines and exhaust gases

61.

• (a) stationary internal combustion engines are not used at the quarry in any enclosed or confined place, unless specific provision is made for conducting the exhaust gases from the engine into the open air, or

• (b) any enclosed or confined place referred to in paragraph (a) is adequately ventilated so as to prevent danger to health from exhaust gases referred to in that paragraph.

Health surveillance

62.

PART 8 WELFARE

Shelters and accommodation for clothing and taking meals

63.

• (a) adequate and suitable enclosed accommodation for taking shelter during interruptions of work owing to bad weather and for depositing clothing not worn during working hours, which contains, where practicable, adequate and suitable means of enabling such persons to warm themselves and to dry wet clothing;

• (b) adequate and suitable enclosed accommodation for the deposit of protective clothing used for work and kept, when not in use, at or in the immediate vicinity of the quarry with adequate facilities for drying such clothing if it becomes wet;

• (c) adequate and suitable accommodation for the taking of meals affording protection from the weather, which includes sufficient tables with impermeable surfaces and seats with backs;

• (d) facilities for boiling water and, where there are more than 5 persons at work at a quarry and heated food is not otherwise available at the quarry, adequate facilities for heating food;

• (e) an adequate supply of potable drinking water at one or more than one convenient place.

• (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), in determining whether accommodation is conveniently accessible, account shall be taken of any transport provided for the persons at work.

• (3) In determining whether accommodation provided under paragraph (1)(c) is adequate, account shall be taken of the number of persons who are likely to use such accommodation at any one time.

• (4) All accommodation provided by the operator in accordance with this Regulation shall —

• (a) be properly ventilated, adequately lighted, kept in a clean, hygienic and orderly condition, and

• (b) not be used for the deposit or storage of materials or plant, other than as may be required for the purposes of the accommodation.

Changing rooms and lockers

64.

• (a) where persons at work are required to wear special work clothes and where, for reasons of health or propriety, they cannot be expected to change in another area, that appropriate changing rooms are provided which are —

• (i) easily accessible,

• (ii) of sufficient capacity, and

• (iii) provided with seating,

• (b) that separate changing rooms are provided for men and women, or procedures are in place to ensure separate use of changing rooms by men and women, and

• (c) in changing rooms, that adequate facilities for drying wet or damp work clothes are provided.

• (2) Where work clothes are likely to be contaminated by dangerous substances, atmospheric conditions or the conditions of the place of work, the operator shall provide, or cause to be provided, facilities in changing rooms to enable the work clothes to be kept in a place separate from personal clothing and effects.

• (3) Where changing rooms are not required under paragraph (1), the operator shall provide or cause every person at work to be provided with a place to store his or her own clothes and personal effects.

Washing facilities

65.

• (a) troughs or washbasins which have a smooth impervious internal surface,

• (b) means of cleaning and drying, being either soap and towels or other means, as the case may require, and

• (c) a sufficient supply of hot and cold or warm running water.

• (2) The operator shall ensure that —

• (a) washing facilities are provided that are adequately lighted, properly ventilated and kept in a clean and orderly condition, and conveniently accessible from the accommodation for taking meals,

• (b) separate washbasins are provided for men and women, or procedures are in place to ensure separate use of washing facilities by men and women,

• (c) suitable showers in sufficient numbers are provided for persons at work, if required by the nature of the work or for health reasons,

• (d) separate shower rooms are provided for men and women, or procedures are in place to ensure separate use of shower rooms by men and women,

• (e) shower rooms provided are sufficiently large to permit each person to wash without hindrance in conditions of an appropriate standard of hygiene and such showers are equipped with hot and cold or warm running water, and

• (f) where the rooms containing showers or washbasins are separate from changing rooms, there is easy access between the two.

Sanitary conveniences

66.

• (a) adequate and suitable sanitary and washing facilities for the use of employees,

• (b) an adequate number of lavatories and washbasins, with hot and cold running water in the vicinity of workstations, rest rooms, changing rooms and rooms housing showers, and

• (c) separate use of lavatories or washbasins for men and women, when so required for reasons of propriety.

Safe access to places where facilities are provided

67.

• (a) safe means of access and egress are provided and maintained to and from every place at which any facilities provided under this Part are situated, and

• (b) every place referred to in paragraph (a) is made and kept safe for persons using such facilities.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers

68.

Persons with disabilities

69.

Rest rooms

70.

• (a) where necessary, having regard to the number of persons at work who may require to rest and the type of activity carried out, one or more than one rest room is provided, of sufficient dimensions and equipped with an adequate number of tables and with seats with backs, and

• (b) where a rest room is not provided and working hours are regularly and frequently interrupted, one or more than one other room is provided in which persons at work can stay during such interruptions, where this is required for their safety or health.

SCHEDULE 1 Regulations 2(3), 14(c) and 17(b)

QUARRIES SKILLS CERTIFICATION SCHEME

• (a) slinging and signalling;

• (b) telescopic handler operation;

• (c) tractor and dozer operation;

• (d) mobile crane operation;

• (e) crawler crane operation;

• (f) articulated dumper operation;

• (g) site dumper operation;

• (h) 180° excavator operation;

• (i) mini-digger operation - where the person has not been trained in the task referred to at clause (j);

• (j) 360° excavator operation;

• (k) rigid dump truck operation;

• (l) front end loader operation;

• (m) explosives storekeeping;

• (n) shotfiring;

• (o) explosives supervision;

• (p) such other quarrying-related tasks as may be specified by the Minister.

• (2) Where it is necessary to gain experience prior to undertaking a programme related to the tasks listed at subparagraph (1) it is permissible for a person to undertake those tasks during the training period required by the programme if —

• (a) the person concerned is under the supervision of a competent person, and

• (b) the person concerned is in possession of an appropriate identification identifying the person as a trainee for the purpose of gaining experience and competence in the skill in the area in which the person is undergoing training.

• (1) an award from QQI for the purpose of this Schedule in a task listed in paragraph 1(1),

• (2) an award from another body in the State which is recognised by SOLAS as equivalent to the award referred to in subparagraph (1),

• (3) an award approved by a body in another Member State and recognised by SOLAS under the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2017 as equivalent to the award referred to in subparagraph (1), or

• (4) an award approved by a body in a state other than a Member State and recognised by SOLAS as equivalent to the award referred to in subparagraph (1).

SCHEDULE 2 Regulations 6, 8 and 29

APPROVED FORMS AND NOTIFICATIONS

Approved Form AFQ1

Regulations 6 and 8

APPOINTMENT OF OPERATORS AND NOTIFICATION TO HSA	APPOINTMENT OF OPERATORS AND NOTIFICATION TO HSA	APPOINTMENT OF OPERATORS AND NOTIFICATION TO HSA
I hereby give notice of: (Tick as appropriate)	• Appointment of Operator □ • Appointment of Common Operator □ • Commencement of Quarrying Operations □	• Appointment of Operator □ • Appointment of Common Operator □ • Commencement of Quarrying Operations □
Name of Quarry Owner:
Address of Quarry Owner making Appointment of Operator /Change Operator/ Common Operator:
Name of Operator/Common Operator:
Name of Quarry:
Address of Quarry:
Townland and place where the Quarry is situated.:
OS Grid References and Eircode (if relevant):
Telephone Number of Operator:
E-Mail Address, Operator:
Commencement Date of Quarrying Operations:
Signature of Owner and Date:	Signature	Date
Signature of Operator and Date:	Signature	Date
Signature of Common Operator and Date:	Signature	Date

Notes:

• • If more than one operator is appointed by the owner in a quarry, then a common operator must be appointed to co-ordinate and be responsible for Health and Safety in the Quarry.

• • The Quarry Owner shall not later than 14 days after the appointment of an Operator/Common Operator and Commencement of Quarrying Operations under Regulation 6 and 8 give written notice of that appointment in this approved form, AFQ1, to the Authority.

Approved Form AFQ2

Regulation 8

NOTIFICATION OF PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY CESSATION	NOTIFICATION OF PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY CESSATION
I hereby give notice of (Tick as appropriate)	• Temporary Cessation of Quarrying Operations □ • Permanent Cessation of Quarrying Operations □
Name of Person or Company under which the business is carried on:
Name of Operator:
Signature of or on behalf of Operator:
Name of Quarry:
Address of Quarry:
Townland and Place where the Quarry is situated:
OS Grid References and Eircode (if relevant):
Telephone Number of Operator:
E-Mail Address of Operator:
Date when temporary /permanent cessation of quarrying operations commences: (delete as appropriate)

AFQ3

Regulation 29

Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices	Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices	Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices	Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices	Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices	Results of Inspection & Thorough Examination of Personal Flotation Devices
NOTE: This form is to be used to record the inspection and thorough examination of personal flotation devices (PFD). The inspection of the personal flotation devices must be undertaken in accordance with the manufactures instructions. The thorough examination needs to be undertaken at least every 12 months. The thorough examination is in addition to the requirement for inspections. Indicate the name of the person for whom the report has been prepared. The approved form may be stored in a computer and duly authenticated as soon as is practicable afterwards.	NOTE: This form is to be used to record the inspection and thorough examination of personal flotation devices (PFD). The inspection of the personal flotation devices must be undertaken in accordance with the manufactures instructions. The thorough examination needs to be undertaken at least every 12 months. The thorough examination is in addition to the requirement for inspections. Indicate the name of the person for whom the report has been prepared. The approved form may be stored in a computer and duly authenticated as soon as is practicable afterwards.	NOTE: This form is to be used to record the inspection and thorough examination of personal flotation devices (PFD). The inspection of the personal flotation devices must be undertaken in accordance with the manufactures instructions. The thorough examination needs to be undertaken at least every 12 months. The thorough examination is in addition to the requirement for inspections. Indicate the name of the person for whom the report has been prepared. The approved form may be stored in a computer and duly authenticated as soon as is practicable afterwards.	NOTE: This form is to be used to record the inspection and thorough examination of personal flotation devices (PFD). The inspection of the personal flotation devices must be undertaken in accordance with the manufactures instructions. The thorough examination needs to be undertaken at least every 12 months. The thorough examination is in addition to the requirement for inspections. Indicate the name of the person for whom the report has been prepared. The approved form may be stored in a computer and duly authenticated as soon as is practicable afterwards.	NOTE: This form is to be used to record the inspection and thorough examination of personal flotation devices (PFD). The inspection of the personal flotation devices must be undertaken in accordance with the manufactures instructions. The thorough examination needs to be undertaken at least every 12 months. The thorough examination is in addition to the requirement for inspections. Indicate the name of the person for whom the report has been prepared. The approved form may be stored in a computer and duly authenticated as soon as is practicable afterwards.	NOTE: This form is to be used to record the inspection and thorough examination of personal flotation devices (PFD). The inspection of the personal flotation devices must be undertaken in accordance with the manufactures instructions. The thorough examination needs to be undertaken at least every 12 months. The thorough examination is in addition to the requirement for inspections. Indicate the name of the person for whom the report has been prepared. The approved form may be stored in a computer and duly authenticated as soon as is practicable afterwards.
Name of Employer or Contractor:	Name of Employer or Contractor:	Name of Employer or Contractor:
Address of Registered Office:	Address of Registered Office:	Address of Registered Office:
Address of Quarry:	Address of Quarry:	Address of Quarry:
Description of equipment inspected / examined, with serial number or reference number	Description of equipment inspected / examined, with serial number or reference number	Date of inspection / thorough examination	Results of inspection / thorough examination State condition of personal flotation device(s)	Comments or action taken	Name (in block capitals) and signature of person who undertook inspection / thorough examination
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
I Ο E Ο
Note	I = Inspection	E= Thorough Examination	E= Thorough Examination	See Further Notes overleaf	See Further Notes overleaf

NOTES: General: 1. This form contains the report of the results of inspections and thorough examination of personal flotation devices. 2. Personal flotation devices must be inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 3. Personal flotation devices must be thoroughly examined every 12 months. 4. The report must be signed by the person making the inspection or thorough examination. 5. The report shall be kept at the quarry whilst relevant work is being carried out. 6. If it is not possible to retain the report at the quarry it should be kept at the registered office of the operator, or where the operator is an individual, at his or her place of business. 7. Regulation 19(2) provides as follows: Where under these Regulations records, reports, or other documents are required to be made, it is sufficient compliance with the requirement if the operator and, where appropriate, other person concerned — (a) make and maintain the record, report or other document by electronic means, and (b) duly authenticate that record, report or other document as soon as is practicable afterwards. 8. Regulation 29(4) provides as follows: The operator shall ensure that personal flotation devices provided under paragraph (3) are — (a) properly maintained, (b) checked before each use, (c) inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and (d) subjected to a thorough examination by a competent person every 12 months. 9. Regulation 29(5) provides as follows: On the day of an inspection or examination under paragraph (4), the person who carries out the inspection or examination, as the case may be, shall – (a) make a report of the results in the Form AFQ3 specified in Schedule 2, (b) sign and date the report, and (c) give a copy of the report to the operator.

SCHEDULE 3

Regulation 24(2)(e)

VEHICLES REQUIRING AUXILIARY DEVICES AND VISUAL AIDS

Machine Type
Off-road dump trucks (trailer to rear of driver), payload greater than 7 tonnes
Dumpers (front tip) no cab
Dumpers (front tip) with cab
Wheel loaders (loading shovels), including skid steer loaders
All 180º excavators
All 360º excavators
Scrapers
All tracked type tractors (bulldozers)
Graders
Telescopic handlers

SCHEDULE 4

Regulation 57

GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS

DOCUMENTS AND PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN GEOTECHNICAL ASSESSMENT

Excavation, tip or lagoon

Site survey

• (a) the boundaries of the quarry upon which the excavation, tip or lagoon is or is to be situated,

• (b) the site of the excavation, tip or lagoon,

• (c) any contiguous land or structure that might be affected by the excavation, tip or lagoon,

• (d) buried quarry workings, known cave systems, active or former land-slips, springs, artesian wells, watercourses, mine workings (whether in use or not) and other natural or man-made features, including tunnel pipes or culverts that may —

• (i) affect the safety of the excavation, tip or lagoon, or

• (ii) be relevant for the purpose of determining whether quarrying operations can be carried out safely.

This plan shall be contoured, orientated and correlated to the Ordnance Datum Survey National Grid at a vertical interval not greater than 5 metres and marked with squares corresponding to the 100 metre squares shown on Ordnance Survey sheets on the scale of 1:2,500.

Site investigation

Cross-sections based on site investigation

• (a) any variation in the thickness, level or character of the superficial deposits and bedrock materials based on the site investigation, and

• (b) the position of any surface, whether natural or man-made, that may affect the safety of the excavation, tip or lagoon.

Plans based on site investigation

Assumptions made before analysis

Findings of analysis

Design coming out of analysis

• (a) in relation to an excavation, the design of the excavation, including the height or proposed height of the slope, the position and width of any benches and representative contours of the excavation at vertical intervals of not more than 5 metres, and

• (b) in relation to a tip or lagoon, the design of the tip or lagoon, including the area of land covered or to be covered, the gradients of that land, the designed contours at vertical intervals of not more than 2 metres, the side slopes and boundaries of the tip or lagoon and the designed position and nature of construction of any wall or other structure retaining or confining the tip, or lagoon.

Requirements during and after quarrying operations

GIVEN under my hand,

11 September 2025

ALAN DILLON,

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

Footnotes