Health & Safety

Health & Safety

British Glass is committed to maintaining and improving the industry's health and safety record. Through major initiatives such as the GLASS Charter, an industry-wide programme and the Annual Glass Industry Health & Safety Conference, we are continually helping all sectors of the UK glass industry to improve standards and performance through sharing of best practice, regular committees and events and working groups to tackle specific issues.

Good health and safety performance is no accident and represents good business practice -not only improving the health and well being of all employees but also reducing costs and saving money.

Working closely with industry, unions, the Health & Safety Executive HSE) and other stakeholders allows us to identify and consult on issues as they arise and gives our industry a unique opportunity to raise concerns, input into both UK and EU legislation, share best practice, case studies and initiatives and access a wide range of information, guidance and support.

Glass Charter Initiative

In 2001, the glass industry took up the government's Revitalising Health and Safety Initiative. In partnership with industry, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and worker unions, British Glass launched the GLASS Charter (Goal Less Accidents Safer Sites). In 2003 the Glass and Glazing Federation joined the GLASS Charter partnership - expanding the membership of the scheme beyond manufacture and processing to encompass all sectors of the UK glass industry. http://www.glasscharter.co.uk/ British Glass Health and Safety Committee

The British Glass Health and Safety Committee meets quarterly to discuss upcoming legislation, review performance and discuss any problems that may arise in the industry.

The sharing philosophy of the group allows companies from all sectors to share their own accident experiences and exchange ideas from organisation to organisation.

This platform also provides a unique opportunity for two-way communication between the UK glass industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Activities include:

  • Compilation and analysis of glass industry accident statistics.
  • Provision of information on accident trends, contributing to industry-wide safety improvement action planning and safety campaigns.
  • Monitors legislation and provides updates on all legal and statutory requirements that affect the UK glass industry.
  • Compilation of glass industry responses to health and safety consultative documents and other legislation / regulations.
  • Co-ordination of working groups for written best practice guidelines on health and safety topics affecting the UK glass industry.
  • Negotiation of industry targets with Government within its 'Revitalising Health & Safety Initiative' and continually feeds back into further development of the GLASS Charter.
  • Contributes to Glass Standards where health and safety is an issue.
  • Coordinates and reviews all safety related training issues.
  • Provides direct access to senior HSE representatives, official of the Glass and Glazing Federation and consultation with unions on health and safety related issues.