The GGF Glass Charter – Step change to improvement

The GGF Glass Charter – Step change to improvement

Phil Pinnington, GGF Director of Health and Safety, explains how communicating in the digital age is full of opportunities and challenges.

The GLASS Charter is a safety improvement scheme designed to support Members in enhancing the standards of Health and Safety they work under.

The scheme in its current format is just approaching its 3rd birthday. In the last year, interest has continued to grow and of those companies who have invited me in to audit I am regularly impressed by the safety innovation that exists in our sector.

I am a strong believer that Health and Safety is a function that supports business success. For too long we’ve heard negative stories of Health and Safety gone mad but slowly I’m encouraged to hear of practitioners and consultants who are taking a business centric approach to supporting employers comply with regulations and the law.

I’m now hearing the word ‘proportionate’ more often. ‘Suitable for the task’ is another and both indicate to me we’ve turned a corner and we will continue to see more positive news stories.

Earlier this year I was pleased to be able to give yet another GGF member company recognition in our scheme. Hazlemere Windows became the latest company to be awarded Bronze 2 status to the scheme.

Mark Austin of Hazlemere Window receiving the GLASS Charter Bronze Award.

I admired the way they, following a serious incident, recognised that investing in a practitioner to help facilitate a change in the culture was necessary. Their approach recognised that change takes time and investment. By taking this action I believe they’ve shown a real commitment to addressing what in many companies is often the core challenge – creating an environment where safety is seen as both an individual benefit but also can enhance the business potential.

The GLASS Charter is not alone as a safety improvement scheme. The non-domestic sector is littered with schemes and initiatives aimed to weed out the less than perfect. Sometimes these schemes help businesses get in front of the buyers but sadly many businesses fall short simply because they don’t have the right formatted risk assessment or the training hasn’t been done by a recognised provider.

We at the GGF are working closely with an industry scheme and achieving some success in having the GLASS Charter recognised as a credible starting point to achieve recognition by one of these schemes.

Our role at the GGF is supporting our Members so they are the best in the industry and therefore are competing on equal terms. What differentiates our Charter is that it not only demonstrates how far companies have come but also sets out a route and timescale for them to improve. It has Health and Safety at its core to not only keep employees safe but also help to support the health of their businesses.

More details on the Charter can be found on the GGF website or by contacting Phil Pinnington, Director of Health and Safety at: ppinnington@ggf.org.uk