June 11, 2024
Building Safety Conference called for industry to ‘step up’
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) recently held its second industry conference in Birmingham. There were over 1,300 delegates in attendance, with the conference providing a platform for industry leaders, regulators and resident representatives to discuss the ongoing transformation of the building safety landscape.
The conference showcased BSR’s resident-centric approach, with several sessions dedicated to industry accountability and empowering residents to ensure their voices are heard in building safety decisions which affect their homes.
Sarah Newton, Chair of HSE and Philip White, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Buildings and Director of Building Safety Division opened the conference, highlighting BSR’s achievements and outlining its future priorities.
Sarah Newton said: “We are committed to putting residents at the heart of everything we do. At HSE, we understand that building safety is not just about regulation and compliance; it is about people – their lives, their homes, and their communities.
“The new building safety regime is designed to give residents a stronger voice and for industry to ensure that their homes are safe.
“[the conference] gave those on the building safety frontlines the chance to share our knowledge and collaborate on solutions to translate the new regulatory framework into actionable steps, ensuring the safety of both existing and future buildings.”
Philip White said: “So much has happened in the last year, and at such pace – showing how much we can achieve together when we have a common goal.
“More than 12,000 buildings have been registered with the regulator and many of our conference delegates, along with others across the UK have already registered as building inspectors and demonstrated their competence.
“Building control professionals play a critical role in ensuring the safety and quality of our built environment – and above all, being regulated will raise industry standards and increase public trust.”
The conference was also addressed by Minister for Housing Lee Rowley who acknowledged the significant progress made during a time of great change for the industry.
Other key topics discussed at the event included:
- Industry accountability and ownership in delivering safe buildings.
- BSR’s firm but fair approach to enforcement.
- The critical role of building control professionals in raising standards.
- A need for continued collaboration between industry, regulators and residents.
- Panel discussions were hosted with the Construction Leadership Council, emphasising the importance of building safety as a strategic priority for the entire industry.
The conference also extended beyond the UK, with Dan O’Brien, CEO of Cladding Safety Victoria in Australian attending as part of an information-gathering visit. His attendance highlighted the vital international collaboration and knowledge-sharing currently taking place in the field of building safety.
HSE
May 2024
