The Mineral Products Association – the trade association representing Aggregate Industries et al. – has issued guidance notes in light of the coronavirus outbreak, at safequarry.com.
In the midst of a global pandemic, and with unprecedented conditions for the construction industry and its members, the MPA saw the need to issue advice on dealing with protesters:
During this period there is a risk that employees either travelling to work or involved in work activities off-site (such as delivering materials) may encounter members of the public or protesters objecting to their activities.
The note finishes by saying "Further information relating to dealing with protests is available in the MPA Members Briefing: Protester Advice", for example should the cement/concrete sector "become a target in the future – particularly given the recent emergence of the Extinction Rebellion."
The MPA advises that:
In all cases, protestors will look to undertake hostile reconnaissance in advance of protests, so the awareness and vigilance of office/site staff remains paramount.
Operators should:
DENY individuals the opportunity to gain information
Company employees should be briefed to ensure:
they do not provide protesters with photo opportunities or sound bites with negative propaganda potential.
And finally, on a long list of measures:
PLEASE DON’T... Provide comment to any press
It’s important that MPA members get these things right. After all:
Everyone with a mobile phone is a potential cameraman/woman, who will be tweeting/blogging to a potential online audience of thousands or millions.
