A Monmouthshire businessman is celebrating after being recognised for his work within the quarrying industry.

John Corcoran, managing director of Caldicot-based Chepstow Plant International, was honoured at the Institute of Quarrying centenary dinner where he was made a fellow of the IoQ – the highest honour within the organisation.

Mr Corcoran has been working within the quarrying industry for 30 years. He was recognised for his outstanding efforts, particularly for his industry health and safety initiatives, by the Institute of Quarrying – which supports individuals working in the mineral extractives industry.

One of the notable health and safety initiatives includes the extensive work carried out with on the implementation of inclinometers – a device which measures angles of slopes – on articulated dump trucks. As a direct result of the Inclinometer Initiative, all of Chepstow Plant International’s articulated dumps trucks have inclinometers fitted as part of its standard specification. These help ensure articulated dumptrucks on all of the company’s working sites can tip in a safe working environment and prevent them from overturning, further improving site safety.

John was presented the award by the Institute of Quarrying president Dr Miles Watkins at the IoQ centenary dinner, which took place at the Belfry in Sutton Coldfield.

John Corcoran said: “I am thrilled to have been recognised as a fellow of the IoQ. I have been working within the quarrying industry for a great number of years, and health and safety has always been one of my main priorities. It is also at the core of Chepstow Plant International, and this initiative underpins the culture of our organisation, so to be awarded for my work and the health and safety aspect of it is a great honour.”

Chepstow Plant International is a privately-owned mineral and aggregates contractor that was established in 1995. In recent years, the company has experienced strong growth and operates one of the most modern contracting fleets in the UK of more than 400 machines.