British Woodworking Federation

The importance of protecting workers from exposure to wood dust has once again been highlighted, following a recent case shared by the HSE where a company faced significant consequences for failing to provide adequate control measures. Wood dust is a hazardous substance, and exposure can lead to life-changing illnesses such as asthma or even nasal cancer. Ensuring workers have the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and effective control measures in place is vital for their safety and wellbeing. The risks of failing to manage wood dust properly are serious – both for your employees and your business. The BWF Health & Safety Manual provides essential guidance for handling wood dust safely, including: ➡️ Selecting the correct RPE ➡️Maintaining control measures using Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems ➡️Complying with your legal obligations under COSHH regulations Free to BWF members | £50 for non-members. Ensure compliance and protect your team today. Download the BWF Health and Safety Manual here: https://lnkd.in/eRacafmg. #HealthandSafety #WoodDust #Compliance #Woodworking #Joinery

In the latest issue of Facilities Management Journal (FMJ), British Woodworking Federation CEO Helen Hewitt discusses how the industry can navigate the shift from the British to European standard for testing fire doors, and challenges the unwarranted doubts about the reliability and performance of timber fire doors tested under BS 476-22. #Firedoors #Firesafety

We are proud supporters of The Big Construction Diversity Challenge. Only by investing in diverse and inclusive workforces will be able to continue to strengthen and grow our incredible industry.

The Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum) is a vital initiative ran by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) to address skills shortages and training needs in the #woodworking and #joinery manufacturing sector. Composed of committed BWF members, the WITForum meets throughout the year to collaboratively support the development of our industry's current and future workforce. Why WITForum is important: ⚙️ We identify training needs and develop necessary training programmes ⚙️We support trainers in equipping students with essential industry skills ⚙️We advocate for apprenticeships and promote woodworking as a viable career path. If you’re a BWF member and want to play a role in shaping the future of skills and training, contact Ian Gurling at Ian.Gurling@bwf.org.uk.  For more information, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eiXnvtPM. #SkillsandTraining #Development #Manufacturing

Great to hear from BWF Members EDSi DoorSets on why they value their membership, and how they communicate this to their customers.

Thank you Timber Trades Journal for sharing our thoughts and predictions on the challenges and opportunities 2025 will have for our members and the wider industry as a whole.

If you haven't already caught up with this issue of Professional Woodworking Today, grab a cuppa and check it out ☕ 🫖 ⬇️

An informative video from the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and Fit2Fit demonstrating why correctly fitting #RPE is vital to protect the wearer, and the potential damage that can be caused when it it not fitted correctly.

Join BWF Technical Director, Kevin Underwood at the next Members’ Technical meeting to learn about the critical changes impacting the woodworking and joinery industry. Exclusively for BWF members, this meeting is your chance to gain vital insights and practical advice to help your business navigate industry challenges and opportunities. What’s on the agenda? 📝 Updates on fire safety regulations, the Building Safety Act, and changes to Approved Document B 📝Future Homes Standard: What it means for U-value calculations for windows and doorsets 📝The new EU Construction Products Regulation: Implications for Great Britain 📝The latest from BSI and CEN committees 📝How the construction product industry is responding to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations 📝The NHBC’s new third-party certification requirement for timber windows and external doorsets. 📅 Date: Tuesday 18 March 2025 ⏰ Time: 10am – 3pm 📍 Location: Builders Merchants Federation, Elliot Court Coventry Business Park, CV5 6UB 👉 To reserve your place, login to the Members Area and sign up here: https://lnkd.in/emd8N6GU. #FireSafety #TimberRegulation #Woodworking #Joinery

The #woodworking and #joinery industry faces a skills gap that impacts the ability to meet demands like housing targets while challenging efforts to attract new talent and retain existing staff. At the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), we’re helping to address this through the Woodworking Industry Training Forum (WITForum) —a member-led initiative shaping how we tackle skills and training needs in the sector. The forum identifies skills gaps and collaborates with training providers to create industry-specific programmes, while also raising awareness of the various career opportunities in woodworking. By uniting BWF members to share insights and resources, the WITForum helps guide our approach to current and future workforce challenges. If you’re a BWF member and want to contribute to the future of skills and training in woodworking, consider joining the WITForum. For more information, contact Ian Gurling at Ian.Gurling@bwf.org.uk or visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eiXnvtPM. #SkillsandTraining #Development #Manufacturing