Fossil Code Encourages Safe and Organised Access to Quarry Sites
QPA Scotland, the principal trade body for the quarry products
sector, has welcomed the launch of Scottish Natural Heritage's
Fossil Code which will provide advice on best practice in the
collection, identification, conservation and storage of fossil
specimens found in Scotland. The Code also aims to enhance public
interest in the fossil heritage of Scotland and promote this resource
for scientific, educational and recreational purposes.
The code was drafted with the assistance of a number of specialist
groups, including fossil collectors and palaeontologists, land
owners and quarry operators, on behalf of whom QPA Scotland fed
into the document. QPA was particularly keen to stress the importance
of safe and organised access to sites with a potential fossil
interest and QPA recommendations play a key part of the final
Code. Quarry sites are places of work, and strict safety procedures
must be followed at every operation.
QPA Scotland's Director John Sheridan was pleased to play a role
in shaping the document: "it's the first of its kind for
Scotland and our involvement was a chance to both underline the
opportunities that quarrying provides for fossil hunters, while
stressing how important it is to ensure safe and organised access.
Quarries provide some of the richest access to the country's geodiversity
and are behind some significant discoveries in recent years. The
final Code is a very practical guide and will prove to be of interest
to many working in our industry as well as those outside the sector."
ENDS
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