INDUSTRY UPDATE
Alku, the Complete Kitchen Brand of Getley UK Ltd, Appoints New Production Director
BiKBBI – Retailer responsibility to ensure subcontracted installer safety from silica
s the only institute dedicated to KBB installation, BiKBBI’s strategic partnerships are vital for providing support and guidance to registered installation businesses and installers, as demonstrated by our recent partnership with the Worktop Fabricators Federation.
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lku is excited to announce that, due to the rapid growth of the brand, Alku Production Manager Martin Procter has been promoted to the position of Alku Production Director. This well-deserved promotion is a testament to Martin’s unwavering dedication, exceptional hard work, and significant contributions to the team’s success. Martin has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence, driving production processes forward with innovation and efficiency. His leadership and expertise have been invaluable, and we are confident that he will continue to excel in this new role. Martin has been a cabinet maker for over 30 years, 16 of which have been with Getley UK. His hands-on expertise and passion for craftsmanship were pivotal in Getley’s transition into manufacturing. Martin played a crucial role in restructuring the dispatch area and stabilising the business during a period of rapid growth. More recently, he has been instrumental in launching the Alku factory, applying his extensive experience to create a streamlined and well-organised production environment.
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Martin’s vision and leadership have laid the groundwork for the future, and we look forward to his continued contributions in his new role as Alku Production Director.
www.alku.co.uk 34 BKU SEPTEMBER 2024
Quartz worktops made the headlines in 2023, as Australia introduced a countrywide product ban over fears of the health risks of crystalline silica dust which was linked to an increase in silicosis. This immediately raised questions here in the UK, and speculation on whether the UK government would follow suit began. The answer to that is that it’s unlikely, given that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has always been aware of the risks from respirable dust in general, and silica dust in particular. In a recent statement, the WFF stated that whilst silicosis is a dangerous disease, the danger comes from not following health and safety guidelines when cutting and fabricating and there is clear HSE guidance for manufacturers and factory owners which is widely implemented across the UK fabrication industry.
Whilst there is no great risk associated with installation or removal of worktops containing crystalline silica, provided the worktops are not cut with machine grinding tools, retailers (as the principal contractor) carry a statutory duty to ensure subcontractors (including installers) are following the correct HSE regulations.
BiKBBI’s compliance function supports KBB businesses to ensure their subcontracted workforce is aware of the risks associated with, and are following HSE guidance for working with, worktops containing crystalline silica. For more information, email
info@bikbbi.org.uk
Damian Walters Chief Executive Officer, BiKBBI
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