Geotechnical Training for Supervisors

Background to the Course

The course is part of a major industry – wide initiative to introduce standardised geotechnical training for staff at all levels working in, or associated with, quarries.

Who should attend?

This course is specifically aimed at quarry supervisor level.
A further three courses are being developed for other levels or personnel namely; for quarry operatives; quarry managers and assistant managers and specialists; and senior managers.

Course Objectives

The main aim of the course is to improve course members' ability to provide a safer working environment in quarries by providing them with an understanding of the principal causes of instability in soils and rocks in quarries, an appreciation of the hazards associated with quarry excavations and by familiarising them with practical measures to control the risks and by increasing their awareness of inspections and safe working procedures in relation to excavations, tips and stockpiles.

By the end of the course, the course, members will:

• Understand the causes of instability in soils and rocks in quarries
• Be able to identify and correct unsafe practices
• Have an improved ability to identify hazards associated with excavations and tips and control the risks.
• Have an improved ability to undertake inspections of excavations and tips.
• Have briefly reviewed the main requirements for compliance with the Part VI of the Quarries Regulations, 1999 in relation to excavations, tips and stockpiles

Course Content

• Hazards and definitions
• Causes of instability in soil slopes
• Causes of instability in rock slopes
• Rockfall and control measures
• Geotechnical assessment
• Inspections and record keeping
• Working practices
• Legal compliance

Course Structure and Delivery Methods

An assessed one day course, consisting of short tutorial inputs, group discussion and case studies, the assessments take the form of a practical exercise and a multiple choice assessment. The EPIC Certificate of Achievement is awarded for successful completion of the course and assessments.