Rock slope risk management and the Quarries Regulations 1999

摘要

The new revised Quarries Regulations (DETR 1999) place a responsibility on quarry operators to manage the risks associated with rock slopes in quarries. The regulations have produced the requirement for a new approach to rock slope risk management in quarries. The Quarry Rock Slope Hazard Index (QHI) system has been developed by the Transport Research Laboratory Ltd (TRL) for the quarrying environment, from a similar system that is used for road rock slopes. Data are collected objectively and then used in parametric analysis. The analysis produces a QHI value for each rock slope, prioritising the slopes into an action category. Training is required for personnel using the system, to achieve consistency. The QHI system can be used to form the basis of a simple strategy for managing rock slope risk in quarries and contributes to the health and safety plan. It allows prioritization of effort for both detailed assessments and risk reduction measures, ensuring the greatest risk reduction per unit cost. The system can be used for the management of rock slope risk in both the short and long term.