A newly updated easyto-use reference guide from the Glass and Glazing Federation ( GGF ) gives an overview to prepare for working safely in the industry .

It provides advice on what to do when workers come across a common hazard associated with their work and gives basic direction as to what actions to take . It also takes account

of recent changes in Health and Safety legislation and emphasizes the need for all those involved in the industry to identify , assess and manage risks , working as a team .

Phil Pinnington , GGF director of health and safety commented : “ The re-focus with an emphasis on the practical application of safety practices has been keenly sought , especially by small and medium sized

enterprises . These companies have a willingness to be proactive with health and safety and now have a working framework to help .”

For the first time the guide encompasses not only the flat glass manufacturing sector but the customer facing installers . It ’ s been compiled with the most up to date information and guidance available and aims to help employees understand

both the legal aspects of safety and the practical applications .

Supporting the handbook , a simple online assessment has been developed where employers can satisfy themselves their workers have a good understanding of the basic safety concepts .

The new publication is available as a free download to GGF members via the members area of the GGF website www . ggf . org . uk or is available to purchase from the GGF Shop ( http :// shop . ggfmembers . com / employeesafety-in-the-glass-and-glazing-industry-ref-30-8 /)

The campaign body is creating a group to meet with government ministers and the Information Commissioners Office ( ICO ) to put forward new telemarketing regulations as an alternative to the opt-in only rule that is widely expected following the recent passing of the Digital Economy Act . An opt-in only based regulatory regime would effectively deprive companies of the ability to call members of the public . Even if an existing relationship were to exist there would have to be specific prior permission to call for any contact by telephone to be within the law .

The new Act was passed as part of the government ‘ wash up ’ before parliament closed for the General Election , and under it the ICO will be instructed to draft new direct marketing and data practice guidelines . Its recommendations will go before ministers for consideration and implementation . Politicians clearly stated in debates on the Act that they are not in

the mood to tolerate any weak or watered down measures , and ‘ nuisance calling ’ is the most common subject of letters to MPs .

There is broad belief the ICO will put forward recommendation for an opt-in based telephone rule similar to that which governs text and email marketing . It would effectively mean a ban on telemarketing . A government spokesperson has already said new regulation will be placed on a statutory footing , which means rule breakers appearing in court .

Ministers do not have to abide by what the ICO puts forward , and part of the Digital Economy Act includes government instruction to the ICO to consult all relevant representative bodies as part of a review prior to formulating recommendations . CFAOTTPS will put forward alternative regulation that protects the public and allows ethical companies the freedom to make outbound calls . It has already won success in persuading

Information Commissioner , Elizabeth Denham , to review the existing flawed Telephone Preference Service .

CFAOTTPS is creating a new executive from business sectors that are major users of telemarketing , such as the energy and telecoms industries , to meet with the regulator and ministers to put forward alternative regulatory reform . With the glass sector being one of the major users of outbound calling , representatives from it are being sought to work alongside counterparts from other business areas .

One of the main arguments for less restrictive regulation is that a ban on outbound calls is likely to make matters worse for members of the public . Rogue calling companies that currently openly ignore current rules are unlikely to cease operating after they are given the field to themselves . If they are caught under new regulations those companies based in the UK will fold and remerge as they do when prosecuted under current rules , and the overseas offenders

are untouchable by UK authorities . Rogue calling is likely to increase to fill the void left by compliant companies .

“ If business sectors do not work together to point out flaws in an opt-in system , and do not put forward proposals that will protect both public and commercial interests then it is very likely that sales calls to consumers will become a thing of the past ,” says CFAOTTPS founder and editor of Decision Marketing , Charlie McKelvey . “ There is six months to create alternative telemarketing regulation and then put it to the ICO and government . Once the opportunity is past there will not be a second chance . To save outbound calling , it ’ s now or never .”

CFAOTTPS ( https :// cfaottps . cmnty . com / home ) is a free to join collective of telemarketing interests that has been formed to draft robust and workable regulation , and to put its recommendations to the ICO and government .