The increasing popularity of open water swimming and other water-based activities will increase the number of people visiting scenic areas with water for leisure activities. Quarry lakes and reservoirs can be viewed by some as a tempting place for a quick dip, swimming, tombstoning or other types of water play.

As more members of the public are aware of local sites with water, many families are finding their budgets under pressure and, therefore, seeking to minimise their travel costs, and with the Easter school holidays, the MPA anticipates that more members of the public may attempt to enter sites, particularly non-active or disused sites, for recreational purposes. This will be particularly true during any period of unusually warm weather.

The MPA is requesting its members to be extra vigilant and for quarry operators to review their public safety risk assessments and any site-specific, mitigation measures such as fencing and warning signs.

The two MPA publications below may be useful to review for any manager with responsibility for public safety at quarries or other company sites.

Guidelines for the Management of Public Safety on MPA Members’ Operational and Non Operational Sites: https://lnkd.in/eKT322vr

– MPA’s Keeping Communities Safe Around Water: https://lnkd.in/enmW3e-r

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)’s Managing safety at inland waters is also available as a free digital download: https://lnkd.in/d3cXvsQE. This publication contains advice and resources for site managers and duty holders at UK inland water sites.