As some of you may be aware, we have recently been contacting members to ensure that all of them are meeting their obligations under the BWF’s Code of Conduct. The Code represents the standard to which all of you have committed your company to achieving, and compliance with the Code enables you to demonstrate that your company is professionally run, knowledgeable and responsible, with good customer service. The aims of the Code are as follows:
– To set a benchmark standard for the woodworking and joinery industry and help members to achieve it
– To promote and encourage standards and quality in the industry
– To give members confidence in their colleagues
– To ensure that the BWF logo is recognised increasingly as a mark of quality, giving BWF members edge over their competitors.
As well as representing best practice within the industry, the code also covers areas where woodworking and joinery companies are required by the law to have procedures in place, for example, the use written terms and conditions of employment for staff, regular assessments of the Health and Safety risks, and the requirement under the First Aid at Work Regulations for joinery companies with five or more staff, to employ at least one qualified first aider.
Although all BWF members are expected to commit themselves to compliance with the Code of Conduct, the Code is more than just a series of legislative and best practice hoops to jump through. If you do not meet the standards set, then we are here to offer the support to ensure that you can reach them.
Whether adopting our draft documents, using our member helplines, or getting help from our assessors – they are keen to interact with member companies on their visits. For example, by pointing out any Health and Safety hazards that they may find around the workshop, and advising on how they can be rectified. We can also direct you to outside sources of help if required, such as First Aid training course providers in your area.
If you have not yet received a Code of Conduct visit from one of our assessors, you can log in to the website and view this checklist to see some of the requirements that your company will need to measure up to in order to achieve compliance and get your BWF Code of Conduct Compliance Certificate.
If you are already Code of Conduct Compliant, why not tell your customers?
Follow this link and use the COC stamp on your vans, in your publicity material, on your letterhead, your website and in your offices.
