The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging those who design high-rise buildings to prepare for the changes when the Building Safety Bill becomes law as it currently makes its way through Parliament.
The Building Safety Bill aims to implement all the recommendations set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s “Building a Safer Future” report and more.
The reforms include a more stringent approach to the design and construction of high-rise buildings, clearer responsibilities on designers to ensure these buildings are safe, and new measures so that everyone involved in building work is competent to carry out that work in line with building regulations. Everyone will need to understand the building’s intended use, correctly identify the risks, and own and manage them to determine the safety of a building.
There will be a requirement to record and provide evidence of decision-making during the design process, and a need to be engaged throughout a building project to handover to the end client.
Peter Baker, chief inspector of buildings at the HSE, said: “Designers have a strong influence on safety and standards, particularly during the very early planning and design stages of a building project. Their decisions not only affect the safety of those carrying out the building work, but also those maintaining, using, or living in a building after it is built.
“I encourage designers to act now and prepare for the more stringent regulatory regime. HSE will continue to work with the building design industry and related businesses to support them to deliver safe and high-performing buildings and ensure that residents of high-rise buildings are safe.”
Colin Blatchford, operational policy lead for gateways and building control at the HSE, added: “Everyone involved in the design of high-rise buildings must take a proactive approach to managing building safety from the earliest stages of the design process. These changes are coming. Those involved need to plan ahead through correctly identifying, taking ownership and managing the risks – ensuring key decisions are recorded throughout the process.
“Once the Building Safety Bill becomes law, there will be a requirement for a safety case report when a building is completed and occupied. It is important to consider this at the early design stage for your clients and future residents’ safety.
“Building safety changes are coming and will affect everyone involved in a high-rise building project beyond its design. We urge that you act now.”
