UK quarry operators recognised under the new gold standard scheme

MP Awards and Finning, UK and Ireland Caterpillar dealer, have launched the first industry-wide gold standard accreditation for highly efficient quarry and mining equipment operators. The initiative recognises the achievements of the best operators in the UK, while also aiming to encourage greater investment in training and support.

To receive the gold card standard, operators that already hold the MPQC blue card are required to take part in a practical course run by Finning. The Finning Eco-Drive™ training and coaching is conducted onsite and focuses on the fuel and production efficiency of the machines utilised by the operators. Following this, two independent onsite assessments are carried out.

Four operators were awarded the new gold cards at Hillhead 2014 in Buxton. This includes Ian Bagshawe of Cemex’s Dove Holes Quarry, Adrian Morris of Hope Construction Material’s Dowlow Works, Neil Mycock of Lafarge Tarmac’s Tunstead Quarry and John Middleton of Breedon Aggregates’ Cloud Hill Quarry.

According to Cemex UK, Ian Bagshawe has been working as a quarry operative for 16 years. He has been at the Dove Holes Quarry since 2008, where he operates the CAT990 at the quarry face, the 775 dump truck and the 980 for stock re-handling, among other equipment.

Speaking about the scheme, MP Awards Qualification Development Manager, John Bussey, said: “It helps to recognise and professionalise a key part of the workforce, focusing on the individuals who can have a major impact on reducing the cost of quarrying materials. By delivering the scheme in partnership with Finning, who have been operating their Institute of Quarrying CPD accredited Eco-Drive training programme for a number of years, we will be able to deliver a much higher level of practical training and advice to operators. Each individual will be trained and assessed on the machines they operate, within their specific working environments, so mentoring and advice will be tailored to their needs, no matter what product they use.”

Adapted from press releases by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/26062014/uk_quarry_operators_achieve_new_gold_card_at_hillhead_418/