The Health and Safety Executive is holding an event in Tiverton next month to raise awareness of the dangers of quarry falls.

The day is aimed at people who work at height in quarries and will give employees the latest health and safety information in order to prevent them suffering injury.

The event on 6 June at Tiverton quarry is the first in a series of Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) to highlight the risks of working at height. It is part of the HSE's Height Aware campaign, which urges workers to 'take a moment, not a fall', launched at the end of May. Ninety quarry workers from Aggregate Industries Limited and their contracting companies are expected to attend.

According to HSE statistics, in Devon in 2004/05, 194 people suffered injuries at work following a fall. Within Devon itself, Plymouth had the highest number of falls at 43, whilst Mid Devon, South Hams, and Torridge had the lowest at 9 each.

Cath Pickett, HSE Quarries Inspector for the South West, said:

"The course will provide valuable health and safety information for all those who attend. Falls from height are preventable when work is planned properly, the risks are accurately assessed, and the correct equipment is used. Accidents cost businesses money, but for a smaller operator, it can cost you much more than that - it could cost you your business. Worst of all, it can cost your staff their lives."

The session will run from 8.30 am until 4 pm.