HSE Chief Inspector of Buildings cites 2024 as 'defining year' for building safety

With the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) becoming fully operational and the ramping up of its support for industry to meet its own responsibilities under the Building Safety Act 2022, last year was hailed as a defining moment in building safety in England as work progresses in 2025 to make high-rise residential buildings safer.

Philip White, HSEIn a comment piece published on the BSR’s website at the close of 2024, Philip White, HSE Chief Inspector of Buildings, outlined the milestone events that marked what he described as a "shift from groundwork to meaningful action".

He also reminded industry of the important work required going forward to improve competence across the building sector and highlighted some of the BSR’s priorities in 2025.

Citing the publication of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry’s Phase 2 report as a ‘stark reminder’ of why the BSR’s work matters, White said its findings challenged the building sector to "learn from past mistakes and ensure residents’ safety and wellbeing are the heart of every decision".

As Building Engineer noted when the Phase 2 Report was published in September last year, its damning findings exposed widespread systemic failings in the construction industry, emergency services, housing services and the government as well as in product testing, manufacture and certification.

White described the BSR’s move to become fully operational as "a generational shift in how the construction industry operates", not least because the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA, 2022) has introduced new frameworks and principles that will require industry to ensure it builds and manages a safer and more accountable built environment.

Although it only provides a snapshot of a small number of industry players, White said he was heartened by the BSR’s post-conference survey mid-year that revealed 71% of the 1,300 attendees reported having a good or full understanding of their responsibilities under the BSA, 2022. What’s more, 47% said they planned to make significant changes to their practices.

For its part, the BSR has worked to embed the principles outlined in the BSA, 2022. "By setting consistent building control standards and holding those managing higher-risk buildings accountable", White argued, "the BSR has laid strong foundations for lasting change".

As an indicator of industry’s response to the challenge presented by the BSA, 2022, White pointed to a surge in building control applications in the summer and the BSR’s work to meet this increased demand. Regarding supporting industry to transition successfully to the new building regime introduced by the BSA, 2022, the HSE’s Chief Inspector of Buildings said the new gateway processes, introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June 2017, are central to raising safety standards.

Gateways 2 and 3 are designed to act as hold points and will ensure that safety is considered at each stage of the building control process. The final stage, Gateway 3, introduces a hold point at the completion of a project before the building is occupied.

This critical stage in the new regulatory framework will ensure the BSR has the required information it needs to issue a completion certificate.

In his comment piece, White explained how, as Gateway 3 progresses this year, the BSR will focus on verifying compliance during the final stages of construction and how "managing design changes to maintain safety standards will be a critical priority".

"We know that adapting to a new system takes time," he said. "That’s why we’re
working closely with industry leaders – listening to feedback, strengthening our
advice, and providing clearer guidance to help applicants navigate this process
with confidence."

At the heart of a shift to a safe built environment that the BSA, 2022 requires is competence among those that build and manage higher-risk buildings. As this is an ongoing responsibility, White says it is critical that professionals holding these influential positions must ensure their teams have and maintain the "skills and attitudes needed to deliver safe outcomes".

He also called on responsible persons to improve their knowledge and consider what else they can do to "embed safety".

The HSE’s Chief Inspector of Buildings also reminded readers that maintaining high technical standards is not the only way to improve building safety. He said the BSR recognises that high-rise residents need to feel safe, that their concerns are heard and their voices matter.

As part of its commitment to put residents’ safety at the heart of its work, the BSR launched its ‘You Home, Your Safety’ campaign last year, which is designed to give high-risk residents in England a clear understanding of their rights under the BSA, 2022.

This campaign explains how safety risks in their building are being managed; where to find clear, accessible safety information; and how to raise concerns and access straightforward guidance.

Looking to the year ahead, White said the BSR would continue to strengthen the regulatory framework and improve competence across the built environment.

As collaboration is critical to achieving a safer built environment, the BSR also plans to work with government, industry regulators, fire authorities, mayors and local leaders to speed up remediation work on higher-risk buildings that are still blighted by unsafe cladding.

"Another priority will be modernising the building regulations guidance framework and we will undertake a fundamental review of the guidance," said White.

"We have already committed to keeping Approved Document B, which covers fire safety, under continuous review."

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