Health, Safety, and Environment Summary

Health, Safety, and Environment Summary

Whilst managing the impact of COVID on our industry in the first half of the year, the GGF was keen to employ a new Health, Safety and Environment Manager to grow and improve our work within Health and Safety and launch an Environment department. In July, James MacPherson was appointed as our Health Safety and Environment Manager. Here is James’ summary of his first six months at the GGF.

What a year, a year with a global pandemic that has challenged everyone including experienced safety professionals and at the GGF we’ve managed to guide members throughout these testing times.

In an attempt to challenge the COVID issues affecting our industry, as part of Members’ Week, a panel of health and safety professionals and I, delivered two relaxed online discussions on Health and Safety and the Environment focusing on present situation and the future.  Both received very positive feedback and we are looking to deliver more of these types of webinars in the New Year.

The team at GGF has continued to guide members with COVID dealing with second lockdowns, firebreaks, circuit breakers, changes in guidance, tiered systems etc., all continuing to challenge our sectors. This has however enabled the GGF to strengthen its relationships with government departments, the Health and Safety Executive, and our Members.

In addition, the GGF has recently produced a new COVID Secure guidance document for the supply chain including, Manufacturing, Processors, Distribution, and Sales which has just been published. The new guide will further support Members as this virus continues to challenge us in 2021.

But, enough about COVID, the Health, Safety and Environment function at the GGF, has been busy working to increase our value to Members. The second half of this year has been about building the foundation and the vision for the work we aim to deliver next year.

The first step was to rejuvenate the Health and Safety Committee, which has now had two meetings this year. The newly appointed Chair, John Mannell supported by John Beddoes as Vice-chair are both passionate and committed GGF members encouraging an open forum of diverse members driving for better safety, physical health, and mental health.  

What’s coming next year? Brexit will be a very prominent conversation in the early months of 2021. With the UK leaving the EU following the end of the Transition Period, the GGF from the health, safety and environment perspective is “cautiously optimistic” and we will continue to monitor and update Members as the situation develops.

The Health and Safety Committee has now approved plans to review, renew, and relaunch in 2021, the existing GLASS Charter – the GGF’s Health and Safety Merit Scheme. In addition, we will be forming a Health, Safety and Environment Standards Committee that will be fundamental in increasing the amount of Health, Safety, and Environmental guidance and codes of practice that we provide to Members. The GGF is also keen to launch a Health, Safety, and Environmental consultancy service in 2021 to enable us to further support members, drive the highest standards in our industry and lead the way.

Shifting our focus to the environment, the GGF is very aware that this is going to be a very important area in 2021 and beyond as the issues around the environment could have significant impact on our industry. The Environment Bill that is currently progressing through parliament is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to the environment after we leave the EU. With this in mind, the GGF has launched a new Environment Committee to help our Members manage and improve the impact of new environmental policies and inevitable changes in legislation as we move towards zero carbon by 2050.

The GGF has a perfect opportunity within the environmental space, as one of few trade associations that represents a whole supply chain enabling our sector (via the GGF) to take a holistic approach to environmental issues. From glass manufacturers through to processers and installers, our input if coordinated and focused, can increased our sector’s influence on government policy and legislation on environmental issues.

There are many challenges next year and the GGF needs to show our Members, the importance and value of good Health, Safety and Environment procedures and practice. Good Health, Safety, and Environment have the potential to build better more resilient businesses and potentially saving lives, jobs, money and businesses themselves. So it is a challenge and if met and overcome then it can only be for the benefit of Members, the GGF and the industry. I look forward to meeting and working with you in 2021 and in the meantime, I wish all Members a great festive break and a healthier and happier new year.  

To see the new COVID Safe Guide for the supply chain including, Manufacturing, Processors, Distribution, and Sales please click on image below: