As lockdown restrictions continue to ease around the UK, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) advises all companies to be cautious and still adhere to the GGF and Government’s guidance to make sure that employees and customer stay safe. On 12th April, the Government guidance was updated to state that
Phil Pluck, Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Group Chief Executive raises his concerns after the collapse of Carillion. He mentions that this tragedy raises fundamental issues in terms of protecting the smaller companies caught up in the collapsing supply chain, as well as the jobs that may be lost as
The Glass and Glazing Federation, or GGF, released their new Health and Safety Guide last week. The news was announced that the newly updated guide consists of an easy-to-use reference guide for people who are working with glass or in the glazing industry. Health and Safety is essential to all
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease around the UK, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) advises all companies to be cautious and still adhere to the GGF and Government’s guidance to make sure that employees and customer stay safe. On 12th April, the Government guidance was updated to state that all retail (including showrooms, garden centres and concession stores) in England is now permitted to open. Wales and Scotland re-opened showrooms earlier in April and in Northern Ireland retail is expected to re-open by the end of April. In the Republic of Ireland Government will re-open retail on 4th May. In addition, the Scottish Government also announced that non-essential work in people’s homes can resume in Scotland from 26th April. The GGF wrote to the Scottish Government regarding this matter in March, urging that this restriction be removed and aligned with the rest of the UK, where working in people’s homes has been allowed since last year. On the news of the restrictions be lifted, John Agnew, GGF Managing Director commented, “It is with some relief for all consumer facing companies that the restrictions are now being eased. With all the Government statistics going in the right direction, the GGF advises all companies re-opening retail premises to operate under the GGF and Government COVID-secure guidance.” James MacPherson, GGF Health, Safety and Environment Manager added, “It’s great to see that the Government testing and vaccination programme are having a significant impact and numbers of cases, hospitalizations and fatalities are coming down. However to make sure that we don’t slip back into another lockdown, it is vital that everyone behaves responsible and takes the necessary precautions. If companies need any support or guidance on this I urge them to utilize the GGF website and check our COVID safe guides.” All companies in the industry can access and download the GGF specific guidance via the GGF website. Please see links below: GGF COVID Safe guides COVID Safe guide for consumers COVID Safe guide for Installers COVID Safe guide for manufacturing and the supply chain
Phil Pluck, Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Group Chief Executive raises his concerns after the collapse of Carillion. He mentions that this tragedy raises fundamental issues in terms of protecting the smaller companies caught up in the collapsing supply chain, as well as the jobs that may be lost as a result. Delivering major build projects on the decreasing Government funding creates a race between companies in a sense that the major contracts are awarded to those that offer the lowest price. He calls this a “poor, short term approach which causes companies throughout the supply chain to operate at almost impossible margins”. The fixation with cost savings has built a clear risk for major construction projects. Talking for the GGF members, Phil adds: “A cost cutting approach to the awarding of contracts puts at risk build quality, safety and jobs. In doing so, no legal protection is afforded to those in the supply chain that are now the victims of the Carillion Collapse. This in turn could result in further company failures and consequent losses of jobs and talent.” Government’s rescue packages offered to a few selected companies do not reassure GGF Member companies of anything and they won’t allow them to plan a long term sustainability based only on the packages. “A lasting negative effect on Government tax revenue would be the result,” said Phil. Phil Pluck advises the Government to give up on this tactic because it will cause further damage to the industry and to other companies. “I urge the Government to assess the long term damage that short term cost savings creates and to take heed that Carillion may not be the last company to collapse as a result. There are other major supply chains also operating at near impossible margins.”
The Glass and Glazing Federation, or GGF, released their new Health and Safety Guide last week. The news was announced that the newly updated guide consists of an easy-to-use reference guide for people who are working with glass or in the glazing industry. Health and Safety is essential to all workers fulfilling their roles in a safe and correct manner, and those within the glass and glazing industry have now been provided with an updated reference guide for safe working. The GGF believe that the key to obtaining a safe work place and procedures is educating those in the sector and making sure the proper leaders and power is in place to enforce the various Health and Safety policies and processes that are in place. The new reference guide has been created to be easily accessible to those working in the Glass and glazing industry and offers a range of different advice about what to do when faced with a hazard as part of a working day and a simple list of directions about what you should do. The new guide also accommodated for the new changes to legislation around Health and Safety. Part of these changes includes focusing on the ability for those in the industry to work together as a team and to individually notice assess and manage any risks or hazards they come across. The new easy to navigate reference guide that has been released by the GGF look more at the practical application of a number of different safety practices. The guide also looks at how practices can be put in place by small and medium sized businesses, who are normally more proactive when implementing Health and Safety procedures. The new guide offers insight in to the practical applications as well as the legal aspects of Health and Safety practices. Alongside the handbook published by the GGF, there is also an online assessment where employers are able to be more aware of their employee’s safety knowledge and improve the effectiveness of their own protocols.
