Health and Safety Executive News

Using technology to provide the information required under the new Building Safety Act 2022, which has been enforceable since October 1st, can help relieve the pressure on suppliers who are responsible for submitting the data, says Bob Glendenning, Fire Design Engineering Manager of Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings.  Building Safety Act The Building Safety Act is designed to take forward a fundamental reform of the building safety system and address the issues identi...

The plan from the Regulator has been consulted on with a Residents’ Panel and agreed by the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities. Its aim is to establish a vision to create a built environment where everyone is competent and takes responsibility to ensure buildings are of high quality and are safe. The Regulator also emphasises its ambition to restore trust in the built environment. The plan sets out its mission for residents and building users to feel confident th...

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the third edition of their fire safety in construction (HSG168) guidance. HSG168 is aimed at everyone who procures, designs, develops, and manages construction sites, including clients and designers. HSG168 The document explains how everyone involved in construction projects can comply with their legal duties relating to fire risks and is relevant to all construction projects. The main changes to this edition are related to the elimination...

It has been nearly five years since the devastating fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower, which saw the loss of 72 lives. Others lost their homes, possessions, and loved ones, which changed the course of their lives forever. Since the tragic event, a public inquiry was conducted into the cause of the fire, leading the construction industry to come under heavy scrutiny. Hackitt’s Independent Review In May 2018, Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire...

On 9 February 2022, Northern Gas Networks Ltd was sentenced for safety breaches after a fire and gas explosion at residential premises in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, resulted in the death of the homeowner. fire and explosion Leeds Crown Court heard that, on 11 February 2019, West Yorkshire Fire Service was called to a fire and explosion in Huddersfield Road, Mirfield. The occupier, Elena Frunza, was discovered during a search of the property, whilst it was still on fire. She was taken to Pinder...

Chris Auger, Director of Schemes, joins Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC). BAFE is proud to announce that Chris Auger, Director of Schemes, has accepted an invitation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be a member of the Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC). The committee has been established to act in an advisory position which will support the HSE’s Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The committee will aid in developing new regulatory measures regarding l...

The UK Government has published draft legislation that will see planners include fire safety information and consult on it with the Health and Safety Executive, as part of a new gateway-based approach to building safety. This development is in response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Safety, where she identified a lack of fire safety considerations at the planning stage for high-rise residential buildings. Gateway review points The government consulted on propose...

This appointment will be responsible for establishing and pioneering the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced the appointment of a Chief Inspector of Buildings to establish and lead the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Peter Baker, HSE’s current Director of Building Safety and Construction, will take up the post with immediate effect. The government asked HSE to establish a new building safety regulator in the wake of the...