Traditional training methods for glass fitting could be putting customer’s lives at risk.

This is the message from Phil Fairfield, product development and accessories sales manager, Laddaw, the largest vehicular glass wholesaler and distributor in the UK and Eire.

Speaking at the Thatcham Triple Focus event, Fairfield said: “When a vehicle’s airbags activate, they inflate at around 90mph, hitting the windscreen in the process.

“If the windscreen is not correctly fitted, the rapid increase in air pressure could easily blow the glass out of its mountings, dangerously reducing the efficiency of the airbags and quite possibly causing the death or injury to the occupants, pedestrians and other road users.”

It is the pattern of fitters training fitters, who then train other fitters and so on, which can lead to bad habits being passed on, says Fairfield.

Mike Riddell, business development manager, of independent fitting network AutoScreen, says profit should not be the deciding factor when investing in training or equipment.

“I know it sounds clichéd, but you really can’t put a price on safety,” says Riddell.