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18 May 2009 Safe Hands Back Quarry Safety CampaignSome of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers have thrown their safe hands behind a campaign to stop children and teenagers being hurt in the UK’s quarries. With warm weather and the summer holidays approaching, there is concern that teenagers could be tempted to enter their local quarry. To help prevent this, MPA (Minerals Products Association) this week launches its annual Stay Safe campaign. Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James is one of the keepers throwing his safe hands behind the campaign. He said: “Quarries are places for work and not play, and can hold hidden dangers if you go there unsupervised. Quarry lakes are often very cold as well as a deep, and have currents that can drag you under the water in seconds. Piles of sand look good for tunnelling but if it collapses you can be buried. Sheer quarry faces are very obviously dangerous if you fall – or if the rocks fall on you. “Please Stay Safe this summer and stay out of quarries - use a local swimming pool, leisure centre or recreation ground instead.” Hull’s Boaz Myhill, Wigan’s Chris Kirkland and Bolton’s Jussi Jaaskelainen have also joined the Stay Safe campaign. The industry hopes that by fielding a team made up of the safest pairs of hands in the country it will achieve a nil – nil result – no deaths and no injuries to young people in its quarries. The importance of the campaign was brought home by the recent death of a teenager in Warwickshire. Last month, 18 year old Jay Harris, fell to his death, inside a disused quarry near Nuneaton. Two of his friends, who went to his aid, were treated for the early stages of hypothermia by paramedics. Lynda Chase-Gardener is MPA’s chairman. “The case of Jay is a tragic example of why every year we appeal to young people and to the parents and teachers who influence them, to heed the warning that quarries are not places for fun. “Our industry has worked extremely hard to deter trespassers through fencing off quarries, erecting warning signs and working with schools and youth groups to educate young people about the hazards.” MPA’s 2009 survey of quarry managers showed that nearly 60% of respondents had experienced problems with trespassers over the past 12 months. It also revealed that, whilst teenage trespass was of most concern, it was adults who were the worst offenders. Mrs Chase-Gardener continued: “Very often it is adults who cut holes in fences through which young people enter. This is not only illegal, it’s highly irresponsible and dangerous. "We have launched a poster campaign featuring some of the Premier League’s safest hands and would ask those who are thinking of entering a quarry to follow the message Stay Safe … Stay Out." ENDS Media contact Michael Pullan at Daybreak Communications – Tel: 0845 644 3845 (mob: 07789 886094) or email michael.pullan@daybreakcomm.co.uk Images Images and posters can be downloaded from the following site: http://www.daybreakcomm.co.uk/staysafe09.html Interview opportunities Radio – A dedicated radio day is being held on Wednesday 20th May. Spokespeople from MPA will be available for interview. To book a slot please call Michael Pullan on 0845 644 3845. Media Briefing sessions Quarry managers will also be available for interview at the following quarries, which have a problem with trespass: Boons Quarry, Nuneaton, Warwickshire – Monday 18th May, 11.00am If you would like to attend, please contact Michael Pullan at Daybreak Communications - 0845 644 3845 or email, michael.pullan@daybreakcomm.co.uk
Notes to editors 3. There are more than 1,300 quarries and related operations across the UK. In addition, there are many disused quarries, which pose particular safety problems because they are not generally manned. |
