PWS Announced As One Of The First Fabricators To Receive The WFF’s Quality Mark​

The conversation around silicosis has intensified significantly in recent months, with increased scrutiny into the industry. Earlier this year, PWS, one of the UK’s largest, best-invested, market leading fabricators of quality bespoke surfaces, reinforced its commitment to safe working practices, calling for greater industry-wide accountability.  

Proper regulation and safe fabrication when handling quartz are essential to ensuring the safety of workers and the environment, however unsafe practices across the industry have led to cases of silicosis; an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. To elevate industry standards, improve workplace safety, set a clear benchmark for professionalism and ensure operational excellence across the fabrication sector,

PWS teamed up with the Worktop Fabrication Federation (WFF) to create a new industry Quality Mark. This new mark introduces a structured framework for fabrication businesses to ensure commitment to best practice and workforce protection.  Developed with the support of scientific research and industry collaboration, the WFF hosted Health and Safety Executive (HSE) teams and gathered expert input from across the supply chain.

A key milestone in the programme’s development included the HSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Bampton, presenting the significance of occupational hygiene standards and the role of the WFF Quality Mark in driving safer, responsible and more consistent practices across the industry.  Underpinned by regular, independent workplace assessments conducted by professionally registered occupational hygienists, the quality mark focuses on the recognition, evaluation and control of workplace health hazards.  

A landmark for British manufacturing, the WFF urges KBB specifiers, retailers and designers to partner only with trusted and reputable fabricators, ensuring they also question non members about their industry standards. With these strong internal processes, robust health and safety measures and the backing of the HSE, it is a major step in the right direction.  In May, it was announced that PWS is one of the first businesses to officially receive the new Quality Mark accreditation from the WFF. PWS has been instrumental in setting the standard for best practice, working closely with the WFF to lead the industry benchmark for fabrication standards across the sector.

 Chris Wragg, Managing Director of the Danesmoor Group: “We have always encouraged a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement in the sector, so to be announced as one of the first businesses to be awarded the Quality Mark from the WFF is an honour."

"The introduction of this accreditation will transform the industry, ensuring that customers now have full visibility and transparency of leading, well invested fabricators that they can trust to uphold the best safety and working practices for their employees. We are delighted to be recognised for our strong internal processes, and robust health and safety measures. This new landmark guidance is a positive step forward for the industry and we fully support measures that raise standards and encourage best practice.” www.pws.co.uk