Competence

The Quarries Regulations 1999 recognise three sorts of competence. Formal professional qualifications are required for some specialist activities. For others, it is suggested that competence is measured against national QCF/S/NVQ standards, in the relevant practical and/or managerial skills or through the Engineering Council scheme for Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer.

The regulations require everyone in the quarry and in the management structure to be competent before work starts. The operator and workforce have to be able to demonstrate this competence.

Inspectors visiting quarries for inspections or investigations may ask what steps companies are taking to demonstrate the competence of the workforce, including managers, and what records they are keeping of continuing professional development (CPD).University of Derby Diploma in Quarry Technology, foundation degrees, mining engineering or quarrying degrees, MSc conversion degrees etc all provide good underpinning knowledge, and keeping records such as the Institute of Quarrying and other professional bodies' CPD schemes is a demonstration of commitment to the development and maintenance of competence.