The construction industry is constantly evolving, and staying informed about new regulations is essential for ensuring a safe and compliant working environment.
In the UK, the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has ushered in a new era of building safety and compliance.
What is the Building Safety Regulator?
After the Grenfell Tower tragedy of 2017, Government investigations were conducted into how to improve the safety of buildings and the wellbeing of its occupants.
The Building Safety Act was granted Royal Assent on 28 April 2022, which included the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
The BSR, which operates under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), oversees the safety and performance of all buildings, with a key focus on high-rise buildings.
The BSR will bring the standards of building to a higher level and promote competence and compliance within the construction sector.
What will the BSR implement?
The first directives from the Building Safety Regulator came about in April 2023.
As of 6 April 2023, building owners were required to register their high-rise residential buildings (defined as being 18m in height or with seven or more storeys) with the BSR, and have six months to do so before facing the risk of criminal charges.
From April 2024, the BSR will issue building assessment certificates for high-rise buildings in an overall move toward its aims of a strict regulatory framework.
This framework also involves setting out clearer accountability and responsibilities of duty holders when it comes to proposed building plans.
Clients will have to demonstrate how their proposals comply with requirements, and that they have the appropriate strategies in place during the construction phase to meet building regulation compliance requirements.
The Building Safety Regulator is part of a huge shift in the landscape of the construction sector, and in the coming years, more changes are inevitable.
With this in mind, it is important for those in the construction industry to ensure they are compliant with the new BSR framework and to keep an eye out for any additions to the regulations in the months and years ahead.
For more advice about the BSR, or any other elements of the Building Safety Act, please contact us today.