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Return To Work - FENSA & GGF Keep The Support Coming
To assist FENSA Approved Installers prepare to enter homes and commercial premises, the organisation has produced a number of return to work...
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Chinese Whispers - Safe Guides Launched As Fingers Point In Misinformation Blame Game
The GGF has launched a Safe Guide for Home Improvement Companies - but not before having a swipe at misinformation doing the rounds.
The new Guide has integrated the most recent and relevant Government Guidance and includes direct links to the Government Risk Assessment Toolkit.
Though several parts of the most recent Government Guidance issued were queried by GGF Members, the GGF, on behalf of its Members, sought and gained clarification from the Department of Business & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) before publishing this new Guide.
This new publication has been produced in collaboration with a diverse cross-section of Members, GGF Staff and government officials, to ensure this Safe Guide is the most comprehensive and authoritative in the industry.
The GGF had been the first industry body to publish a Safe Guide for Homeowners - detailing what should be expected of contractors.
“The GGF focus has always been on delivering high quality information that can be trusted by the industry and consumers alike. Both Safe Guides reflect the expected GGF high standards.”
– James Lee
Director Off External Affairs, Glass & Glazing Federation
The new GGF Safe Guide for Home Improvement Companies during the Covid-19 Crisis is available to all companies in the industry.
For free download and viewing go to www.ggf.org.uk
Misinformed
John Agnew, Glass & Glazing Federation MD says the organisation had observed examples of misinformation around the Covid-19 situation and its impact on the home improvement sector.
The Federation has now raised this matter with the government to confirm the examples were opinions not and not fact.
“It is unacceptable for anyone to be acting in this way at a time when our industry needs accurate, correct and verified information.”
– John Agnew
MD, GGF
Follow the guidance
“In these difficult times, I would also advise all companies to follow the GGF and Government Guidance available, and to avoid the misinformation that is out there," continued Agnew.
Tit for tat
It is apparent that the GGF is pointing the finger squarely at bitter rival - Certass Trade Association which itself had endeavoured to embarrass the GGF when the Federation had implied the rules that allowed new build housing sites to continue functioning in the early days of the crisis also applied to working in people's homes.
The two examples given by the GGF when challenged are the assertion: 'The government believes that tradespeople are more likely to maintain safe distancing and practises than people meeting up with their family (hence differences in restrictions)'.
And: 'It is understood that the infection rate will increase'. (As a result of the relaxation of the rules on working in people's homes.)
The installer can confirm that both these statements are attributed to Certass TA Chair, Jon Vanstone. However, to clarify, Mr Vanstone quite clearly published these personal views within the context of a closed online Forum.
Unfortunate
Both examples, according to the GGF, have appeared as 'Government Updates' on various online platforms.
Guidance
Agnew added: “Following the recommencement of work, it is imperative that the supply chain re-connects for the benefit of all, from manufacturing though to domestic installation and homeowners. Above all though, is health and safety and I urge all companies to ensure they follow the GGF Guides which are underpinned by official government guidance. It is vital that companies carry out a proper risk assessment for each and every job and not become so complacent they simply start to follow a template approach."
Picture: The GGF has pointed the fingers of blame as 'misinformation' about working in people's homes as lockdown ends has appeared labelled as official government advice/statements.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
19th May 2020