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NSC Home Page > EUAS Contents > Industry - why bother
INDUSTRY
Industry - why bother?
Bearing in mind the apparent problems - risks to health and safety, employee time, financial cost, logistical problems - why is it still worthwhile for quarry companies to become involved in education? In its widest sense 'education' is a two way process by improving industry and community awareness of each other's needs and fears, whether these are real or perceived. It is a means of building relationships and understanding, and in doing so of reducing or removing misconceptions and taking appropriate remedial action to respond to concerns.
In particular the process will play its part in:
Enlightening people about the contribution made by quarrying:
to meet the need for essential materials
environmentally improved operational practice
to provide a range of after-use options including nature conservation and recreation not otherwise available.
Reducing incidents and accidents, particularly during trespass and by juveniles in school holidays.
Reducing vandalism and crime - damage to plant equipment, trees and buildings can be very expensive indeed in time lost and financially.
Creating a more constructive dialogue concerning new proposals.
Addressing the alarming problems emerging regarding recruitment into the industry.
Many factors have influenced industry views and policies in the past:
Rigid interpretation of health and safety legislation particularly in the context of the Occupiers Liability Act
the growing blame culture
commercial secrecy
Office of Fair Trading restrictions
planning requirements (quarries must be treated like Victorian table legs - 'hidden at all costs')
resulting in culture keeping communities at arms length.
Many of these resulted in an inward-looking, defensive stance by many operators. Although some of these issues have become even more pronounced (most notably the matter of health and safety - now the first item on virtually every management meeting), the attitude generally in the industry has changed out of all recognition through the 1990s, particularly in terms of:
environmental standards
health and safety items moving up the agenda
openness/transparency with the public on the part of companies.
Whereas this is reflected in the now excellent company/community relationship at large numbers of sites, in many areas, members of the public are at best still suspicious of industry's motives and where new initiatives are being proposed, knee jerk antagonism is often the norm.