Building Safety
IFSEC Global
The Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG), has released its third reportIn January, IFSEC Global published a report on the progress of culture in the built environment sector. IFSEC Global summarizes the key takeaways.
The ISSG was established by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to examine the proposals and progress towards culture changes in the built environment industries. The group’s role is to offer constructive challenge, suggest actions, overcome obstacles, and make proposals to accelerate the pace of change.
Dame Judith Hackitt comments Some organisations are making great progress, while others are reserving their judgement and saying that they can’t make any changes until they have more information in legislation. Many of us have known from the beginning that legislation alone is not going to deliver the results we want. It is time for the industry to change its culture and take responsibility for providing safe buildings for all who use them.
This is a serious concern. Despite the well-known challenges of competence across many key disciplines, we have heard that only a very small number of players have committed to the Building a Safer Future Charter and all it entails.
Fortschritts to date
- The ISSGs second report last year showed strong examples of positive actions by industry leaders. This year’s report is no different. The industry still has much work to do to win back the trust of the public. Although this is happening, there is still much to be done.
- Many organisations have encouraged others to take positive action. A number of industry initiatives, including the development of the upcoming e-commerce platform, have also made positive progress. Building Safer Future CharterThe Code for Construction Product Information.
- These areas of excellence represent a notable improvement in industry conversations.
- The government is making progress towards the implementation of the new building safety system with the Building Safety BillParliament is now approving the new regulatory framework for high-rise residential properties and other buildings within its scope.
- As a stronger and more comprehensive regulatory system is constructed, the new regime will impact everyone in the industry.
Improvements are necessary
- Effective, lasting change requires collaboration and visible leadership. Every sector of the industry is responsible for demonstrating that it understands and will act upon what is required.
- Dutyholders must be able to test their approach at all stages of a project to ensure safety.
- The ISSG encourages industry leaders and leaders to come together to discuss the issues they are trying to solve in their sub-sectors. It also outlines the specific steps they will take to ensure safety for residents at every stage of a project. When given incentives, the industry can significantly improve its practices.
- It is crucial that residents are given a higher priority as they move forward. The ISSG will be testing how organisations measure the impact of their engagement over the next year and aim to continuously improve in this area. This will also include how they encourage positive behavior from their tenants, such a DIY-friendly approach to electrical safety.
According to the document the next year will be especially important for building safety. The Building Safety Bill was introduced to Parliament in July 2021. It is expected that it will continue its progress towards becoming law.
The Building Safety Regulator will be expected to play a more active role in the industry.
Lord Greenhalgh, Minister of State for Building Safety, Fire and Communities, made comments on the reportI said: Significant parts in the industry are failing to do right by residents. We must protect leaseholders from the burden of decades-long industry failure.
He continued: We will use Building Safety Bill to reform the existing regulatory system of buildings and construction products. Firms that do not do the right things will be held accountable and face harsher sanctions. Leaseholders and taxpayers will be better protected from the costs that should be paid by others.
The ISSG will continue to push the industry for positive change and encourage action to prepare the new building safety system. This will include urging the public to make these changes.
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