Round-up | NEWS
‘No need’ for quartz surface ban, says fabricator federation
THE WORKTOP Fabricators Federation (WFF) has issued a statement saying it believes there is no need for a total ban on quartz surfaces, and that rigorous safety and best practice regulations are the best way to handle any risks. It
followed the announcement by
Australia’s Government of its plans to ban engineered stone products from July this year [kbbreview, Jan, pg 6]. The WFF stated that it still believes there “is no health risk in handling, shipping, installing or using engineered stone worktops”, and that the risk of respirable silica dust is “purely to do with factory management in the fabrication process”.
It reiterated that current Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for factory owners is that products containing silica can be processed safely with proper controls in place.
According to the WFF, those at greatest risk of silica dust are “builders or joiners buying stone blanks from distributors and
dry-cutting in
customers’ gardens with an angle- grinder or modified joinery tools”. The Federation also stressed that “professional fabricators cut stone in factory environments, on specialist machinery, with water-suppression to capture dust at the cutting blade”. The WFF also explained that silica “is also present in granite, natural quartzite and other stone and ceramic materials”, so a total ban “doesn’t mean workers would no longer be at risk”. However, the WFF says it is still championing best practice and safety regulations to help keep fabricators as safe as possible.
• For more information and advice on this issue, see page 24
Hanneck steps down after eight years as KBSA CEO
UWE HANNECK has stepped down from his role as chief executive of KBB retailers association the KBSA.
Hanneck (pictured) joined the KBSA as chief executive in 2015 and is said to have steered the association through a period of substantial growth, with its retail membership having increased by 74% in that time.
Prior to joining the KBSA, Hanneck had previously been CEO at BSH UK, and chaired the KBB NTG (National Training Group), which was dissolved in 2016. Commenting on Hanneck’s departure, KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert said: “Uwe has achieved so much during his leadership. He leaves the KBSA in a position of strength, with more members, a greater range of business benefits than ever before, as well as an expanded head office team and a robust board of directors. “Uwe will be a hard act to follow and while we have initiated the process, a new appointment will not be made immediately. We have a strong board in place that can drive forward our plans for 2024 and beyond.” Hanneck added: “I am grateful to all those who have supported the KBSA in recent years. The members, and those that have sponsored and contributed to the success of the KBB Industry Conference. I wish everyone involved [at the KBSA] all the very best for the future.”
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