This article outlines the key issues regarding the demonstration of competence, as required under the Quarries Regulations 1999, and lists the current national vocational qualifications that can provide the necessary competence assurance. Based on the HSE Sector Information Minute (SIM) issued to inspectors on I September 2005, the article contains essential information for all those involved in the management of health and safety in the industry, including HR personnel with responsibility for appointing staff. It is a requirement of Regulation 9 of the Quarries Regulations 1999 (QR99) that all those working at a quarry are competent, whether or not they are employees of the quarry operator, and that there are sufficient competent people on site to manage the quarry and supervise as necessary. A lack of health and safety competence is an underlying cause revealed by investigations into accidents and poor standards in the quarrying industry, where traditionally experience has been assumed to mean competence and little investment has been made in education to provide decision-makers with underpinning knowledge to the necessary standards.
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