1. Quarry Operator/Contractor Code of Conduct
Competency for Contractors

2. Competency for Contractors
The Quarry Operator/Contractor Code of Conduct recognises:
We are building partnerships
Partnerships only work when the partners are equal
Contractors should be welcomed on site in the same way as new direct employees
There should be mutual respect between contractors and others on site.

3. Competence for Contractors
In a Quarry, the Quarry Operator has a legal duty to ensure that all of those people working in the quarry are competent to do the work that they are assigned to do.
That includes everyone, not just their employees. So, contractors must be ‘competent.’
Competence requirement is equally applicable to all contractors in all environments although not explicit in law

4. Competency for Contractors
What is competence? In a quarry it has a legal definition: It’s someone who has sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to enable them to undertake the duties assigned to them.

5. Competence for Contractors
Training Provides underpinning knowledge Experience: Exposure to something over time that leads to an increase in skill
Other Qualities: You need to decide what ‘other qualities’ you seek in a person, examples might be: diligence, attitude, attention to detail and looks out for others. All three elements must be there in order for a person to be competent

6. Competency for Contractors
The Quarry Operator/Contractor Code of Conduct says:
It is the duty of the contractor to demonstrate to the quarry operator that sufficiently competent persons supported by appropriate site based competency checks are provided. It is strongly recommended that contractors maintain a valid safety passport to underpin hazard awareness knowledge.
The contractor should think about how they are going to do this:
QNJAC has produced guidance on competence assurance which can be found online at or or on the QNJAC App for IoS or Android devices.

7. Competency for Contractors
How do I demonstrate competence? There are National Occupational Standards (NOS) for many trades and professions. Vocational Qualifications (VQ) are available based on those NOS. It follows that those holding the relevant VQ awarded by a recognised awarding body will have demonstrated competence in that field to an independent accredited assessor.
It is not a legal requirement to have a VQ, but it is hard to think of a better way to demonstrate competence. The awarding body for the extractives industry is the Minerals Products Qualifications Council (MPQC).

8. Competence for Contractors
Does that mean anyone with a suitable VQ is competent? No it doesn’t!
Why not? Because they will need to maintain that competence by undertaking relevant continued professional development (CPD). This might range from refresher training to training on new equipment to attending relevant seminars.