The BAF Annual Conference & AGM took place in Westminster last week. Discussion points revolved around challenges that the abrasives industry faces over the coming years. Whilst Brexit and the UK economic conditions loom heavy on the horizon, the global outlook and its impact on our customer base will have equally significant consequences and a good deal of time was taken throughout the meeting to shed light on the manufacturing forecasts and the likelihood of the current slowdown turning into recession. Additionally the prospect of disruptive technologies and materials impacting our traditional customer base were also discussed.
The ever increasing burden on our own industry was covered by Tony Day, BAF Technical Officer, with changes to regulations, restrictions on usage of chemicals and updates to manufacturing standards for abrasives.
Soo Hosland Round, BAF Training Officer, gave an outline of the success and influence BAF have had with their safety training accreditation process with Brian Collins, an accredited trainer, showing examples of the recently updated training packages offered by the BAF.
1700 users have to date received abrasive safety training from 19 BAF accredited training companies.
Said John Willis, BAF Council Chairman,"Whilst manufacturing and the abrasives industries face a period of transformation as challenging as virtually any time in our history, the BAF are ready to assist manufacturers and distributors to comply with the challenges of increasing regulation. Through our official training accreditation scheme, abrasive user safety remains a key pillar of our work at the BAF and we are proud to play a part in raising standards in this areas"