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Dear Lord Greenhalgh,
Industry Safety Steering Group third report on culture change in the built environment industry and Government’s response
I write in relation to the recent Industry Safety Steering Group third report on culture change in the built environment industry and Government’s response.
Building a Safer Future and the Code for Construction Product Information are not for profit schemes, independently managed and focused on driving a culture of continuous improvement in relation to building safety within the industry. We welcome the focus set out in the ISSG report, and in your response, on the crucial need for culture change, and for that change to go further and faster. We also recognise the need to encourage further continued action to ensure that this is embedded as a priority right across the industry.
As recognised in the ISSG report, Building a Safer Future and the Code for Construction Product Information are approaches that support continuous improvement within the industry to drive forward in the key areas of leadership, culture, collaboration, responsibility and accountability. As seen in other sectors, they offer a tried and tested bridge, and practical means, for companies within the built environment to move from the current status quo to achieving and demonstrating the culture change required. The two schemes give companies the opportunity to be independently assessed, and then be recognised for real sectoral leadership.
The positive support from the ISSG and from Government for these initiatives has been and will continue to be an important element of successfully driving culture change and increasing the pace with which it is delivered. We are grateful for that support and stand ready to play our part in helping to deliver on the commitments to drive culture change.
We look forward to continuing to work together with Government, industry, and the ISSG to rebuild public trust in the built environment sector.
Amanda Long
Chief Executive
Building a Safer Future Ltd
Construction Product Information Ltd
Two of the most influential construction procurement bodies Crown Commercial Service and SCAPE have today adopted the Building a Safer Future (BSF) initiative and are embedding it within their frameworks.
Demonstrating clear sectoral leadership and taking proactive steps and action ahead of regulation, the procurement organisations will use their influence to drive change through their UK wide partner and supply chain networks.
The adoption of BSF will support the construction industry to address critical areas of challenge in relation to building safety – particularly focused on driving a step change in culture and leadership.
Crown Commercial Service and SCAPE will include both ‘BSF Champion’ status and ‘Registered Signatory’ status as requirements at different levels within their procurement frameworks and, working with BSF, will collaborate to encourage industry-wide adoption of this important initiative.
The BSF Charter was created to drive culture change in the built environment to help ensure that buildings are safe for those living and working in them and to protect life by putting safety first, ahead of all other building priorities. It is focussed on driving up standards, changing culture and behaviours and raising the bar in relation to building safety from design through to management and maintenance.
Construction companies can engage through becoming:
● A BSF Signatory – publicly and proactively supporting five pledges that demonstrate a commitment to protecting life by putting safety first, ahead of all other building priorities.
● A BSF Champion – through robust self-assessment, benchmarking and independent. verification, BSF helps companies identify potential issues and, in turn, develop continuous improvement plans to advance their overall approach and performance on leadership and culture in relation to building safety and drive up standards across the sector.
SCAPE is one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities, dedicated to creating spaces and places that leave a sustainable legacy within the community. The SCAPE group of companies also includes Arc Partnership, an innovative joint venture between SCAPE and Nottinghamshire County Council and Lungfish Architects. Each of the companies within SCAPE have committed to adopting the principles contained within the BSF Charter and to participating themselves in the BSF Champions programme where this is applicable.
Amanda Long, Chief Executive, Building a Safer Future, said:
I am delighted that two major procurement frameworks, Crown Commercial Service and SCAPE have chosen to adopt Building a Safer Future as a critical lever of change. This trailblazing development will further support the construction industry to take the critical steps to put building safety first, and recognise those that do so. I encourage other procurement frameworks to follow their lead.
John Welch, Deputy Director Construction, Crown Commercial Service, said:
“I am thrilled to be working in partnership with SCAPE and BSF on this hugely important development. This is a crucial first step in working collaboratively to demonstrate our joint commitment to building safety.
CCS are committed to supporting the industry to drive a fundamental culture change to building safety. Through the foundations put in place by our commercial agreements we will work together with our stakeholders, customers and suppliers to raise industry standards.”
Mark Robinson, SCAPE chief executive officer, commented:
“We firmly believe that nothing is so important that it cannot be delivered safely. Construction projects are complex and require extensive coordination. However, every construction project should put building safety first and ensure the wellbeing and safety of each building, operative, visitor and the wider local community. This should apply to every project, irrespective of size or complexity.
A culture of safety is a choice, and it is created by design. It requires constant communication, rigorous application and the ongoing evaluation of site operating procedures. At SCAPE, we’re proud to have amassed an exemplar track record on building safety across the UK, so we were thrilled to take a proactive leadership role with this important initiative.
The principles and commitments of Building a Safer Future and the BSF Champions process closely align to our own values and those held by our colleagues at Crown Commercial Service. As a team, we are delighted to lend our voice and experience to help bring about the cultural and behavioural change that is sorely needed across the sector.”
The Opportunity
The Building a Safer Future Charter (BSF Charter) has been created to promote an urgent and positive culture and behaviour change in the safety of the built environment. It is about putting people’s safety first in how we plan for, design, build, maintain, and look after the safety of the buildings we live, work or play in and protect those that use them.
BSF are seeking to appoint additional contractors to join the small team of existing Assessors.
In addition, BSF’s new sister not-for-profit organisation, the Construction Product Information Ltd (CPI Ltd), are seeking to appoint their first pool of Verifiers.
CPI Ltd will guard and administer the new Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) which will promote an urgent and positive culture and behaviour change in the construction product manufacturing industry. It is a direct response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future Review set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The Role for Both Organisations
Both roles offer flexibility and would suit those looking for a part-time position or for a role that fits around existing commitments. If you are a current or retired experienced industry professional, with a wide and comprehensive knowledge of the UK construction or another high-hazard safety related industry where similar assessment and verification techniques are used, then this role is ideal for you.
Assessors and Verifiers are self-employed and remunerated per organisational assessment and can carry out as many or few assessments as they would like, initially subject to the number of organisations signing up and registering.
Assessors and Verifiers will need to provide their own mobiles and IT equipment – Assessors would ideally have 4G for remote access. A high level of IT skills would be preferable. Assessors and Verifiers must have their own professional indemnity insurance to a level of £1 million for the BSF and £2 million for CPI Ltd. Assessors will need to be able to travel freely around the UK (once restrictions are lifted) and will be reimbursed for travel. It is not expect that Verifiers will be required to travel often.
Assessors and Verifiers will receive a prorated day rate, plus any travel expenses. It is expected that assessment and verification of smaller companies may take 2-3 days, but for larger companies it may take 6-8 days. The fee paid also covers the administration involved with arranging the visits and interviews, writing up the subsequent report and dealing with any subsequent queries from the company or the Charter and Code’s administration office.
Prospective Assessors and Verifiers should appreciate that the process of selecting and appointing new Assessors can be protracted, often taking several weeks to complete, as this involves both assessment and observation in the role. Ideally, the BSF are looking for a geographical spread of Assessors across the UK.
To Apply
For more information on the role of BSF Assessor, please download an application pack here.
For more information on the role of CPI Verifier, please download an application pack here.
If you have any questions on BSF, please contact assessment@buildingasaferfuture.org.uk.
For questions on CPI Ltd, please contact enquiries@cpicode.org.uk
The Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), manufacturer information pack and Code guidance have been launched today to drive higher standards in the presentation of construction product information in the manufacturing industry.
The Code has been developed as a direct response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. The Code promotes urgent positive culture and behaviour change in the approach and management of product information by the construction product manufacturing industry.
The Code offers manufacturers the opportunity to demonstrate a progressive approach through their willingness to provide assurance for their product information, and recognition for their efforts to prioritise product safety.
It aims to ensure that disingenuous marketing practices and the provision of misleading product information becomes a thing of the past, so that those using products in the construction and maintenance of buildings – including specifiers, architects, consultants and contractors, as well as the ultimate end users of the building – can trust the information provided by manufacturers when making design decisions, installing and using and maintaining verified products.
A robust eleven point code published
The Code – developed by the Construction Products Association’s Marketing Integrity Group following industry-wide consultation – has been built on the principle that product information must be Clear, Accurate, Up-to-date, Accessible and Unambiguous. The Code has eleven clauses covering critical aspects from responsibility for product information to transparency of information regarding performance, proof of stated claims and general information and competency.
An independent and robust validation process is being put in place to underpin the Code that will rebuild trust in the provision and management of product information by all stakeholders, setting the market for UK construction products ahead of others.
Support for manufacturers preparing for the verification process
Alongside Code guidance, a ‘Preparing for the Code’ information pack has been published today to help manufacturers gain an understanding of the Code and prepare for the verification journey.
Registration for verification will open towards the end of 2021, supported by detailed guidance. Organisations can register their interest now to receive updates ahead of the launch of verification.
Independently managed Code and verification
Management of the published Code and its verification has been formally handed over from the Construction Products Association to Construction Product Information Ltd (CPI Ltd) – a not-for-profit organisation with independent governance and management being set-up to administer the CCPI by the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
Amanda Long, Chief Executive of Construction Product Information Ltd said:
“The Code should be a priority for all involved with construction product manufacturing. By focusing on culture, leadership and ethics the Code for Construction Product Information will build trust and is a progressive step towards ensuring that building safety is a priority for those responsible for the provision of construction product information.”
Enabling responsible manufacturers to assure their product information and be recognised for their efforts, the Code will support urgent and positive culture and behaviour change in the industry ahead of regulation.”
Click here to download the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI)
Click here to download the ‘Preparing for the Code’ information pack
Following the introduction of the Building Safety Bill, we look forward to working with Government, HSE and the Building Safety Regulator to support the culture shift required to put building safety first.
Homes England, the Government’s housing delivery agency, has become a Registered Signatory of the Building a Safer Future Charter.
Registered Signatories commit to putting people’s safety first during the design, construction, refurbishment and occupation of residential buildings.
This builds on the recent news from Homes England that those looking to use the new Help to Buy scheme must have signed the Building a Safer Future Charter.
The agency is calling on the sector to follow its lead and is exploring options that will require developers and other organisations looking to work with Homes England to also become Registered Signatories of the Charter.
Nick Walkley, Chief Executive of Homes England said:
“Designing and constructing buildings that are safe to live in is a fundamental responsibility of everyone working in the built environment. Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review and the investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire have shone a light on the sector overlooking the safety of its residents and customers, and this absolutely has to change.”
“Homes England is committed to making the housing market work for everyone and will leverage its role in the sector, as well as its land, funding and expertise to change behaviour, and build a consensus around transparency, collaboration and prioritising the safety of residents.”
Duncan Sutherland, Homes England Deputy Chair:
“As Chair of Homes England’s Safety, Health and Environment Committee I welcome today’s announcement as a positive step forward and signal of intent. I know the agency is committed to showing leadership in this space and is looking at how it can go further. The Board will continue to challenge and support the Homes England Executive to exhibit, promote and lever the behaviours we want our partners and the wider sector to display.”
Amanda Long, Chief Executive of the Building Safety Charter said:
“It is superb for the momentum of the Building a Safer Future Charter to have Homes England’s commitment to the principles of the Charter and using its influential position to encourage sign-up of the Charter.
“We are seeing an increasing number of organisations at all levels and sectors within the construction industry becoming Registered Signatories of the Charter. This is particularly encouraging as we look to next year and the evolution of how the Charter will utilise benchmarking and verification to underpin its aims of engaging with the entire industry to drive the urgent need for positive culture and behaviour change in the safety of the built environment.”
Click here to become a Registered Signatory of the Charter and here to see the latest list of Registered Signatories.
The Building a Safer Future (BSF) Charter has announced the appointment of its first independent Chair and Board of Directors.
The Board has been created to provide robust governance and accountability of the BSF Charter and marks an important step in the BSF Charter’s development. The Board is responsible for providing effective leadership in collaboration with the BSF Charter’s Chief Executive, Amanda Long.
Stephen Elliott (Chief Executive of the Chemical Industries Association) has been appointed as the independent Chair of the skills-based Board of Directors of the not-for-profit organisation.
In addition to Stephen, the Board comprises eight Board Directors: John Brett (London Borough of Camden, Director of Resident Safety); Paula Heatley (Peabody, Assistant Director New Homes & Quality); John Monks (British Airways, Director of Safety and Security); Diana Montgomery (Construction Products Association, Chief Operating Officer); Teresa Ocansey (Board member and resident of Wandle Housing); Lucy Rowsell (Effiage, Kier, Ferrovial Bam JV (for HS2), Head of Information Management); Jeremy Stibbe (JSA Ltd, building safety planning and regeneration); and Graham Watts (Construction Industry Council, Chief Executive Officer).
The composition of experience and expertise drawn from the Board Directors provides the essential knowledge and understanding of resident safety, working with residents and communities, construction and the built environment, local authorities, housing associations, combined with external non-industry expertise in different fields of major hazard safety, including the aviation sector.
As independent Chair of the Board, Stephen’s leadership of the CIA brings in-depth knowledge and understanding of the CIA’s Responsible Care program (a voluntary set of health, safety and environmental commitments undertaken by chemical businesses to support all aspects of their operational activities at UK sites to ensure high levels of protection for employees, customers, the public and other stakeholders, and for the environment). This understanding is integral to the success of the BSF Charter as many of the learnings from Responsible Care – first established in the UK in 1989 – will help to provide the BSF Charter with a robust and proven model for engagement across the built environment.
As well as Stephen’s role in leading the Chemical Industries Association, Stephen brings a wealth of experience and understanding of major hazards and process safety management across other roles including being member of the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Strategic Forum and a member of the Process Safety Management Competence Board.
Building a Safer Future Charter Chief Executive Amanda Long commented: “The BSF Charter is all about putting people’s safety first in how we plan for, design, build, maintain, and look after the safety of the buildings we live, work or play in and protect those that use them. Getting the right combination of expertise by bringing together independent Board Directors with direct experience in resident safety and community engagement programmes, as well as expertise major hazard safety and senior leadership from within construction will help to achieve the positive culture and behaviour changes which puts building safety first.”
Stephen Elliott, Building a Safer Future Chair, said: “I am extremely pleased and proud to be involved in helping to lead the Building a Safer Future Charter, alongside my fellow Board Directors and the Charter’s Chief Executive.
“The BSF Charter is at an incredibly important phase of development and adoption by organisations working across the built environment. Working hard to deliver a robust, challenging and accountable Charter will be crucial if we are to achieve the trust amongst all building users, those who work in the industry, communities and the wider public.”
To find out more about the independent Chair and Board of Directors, click here.
Click here to become a Registered Signatory of the Charter.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme have been appointed in an open selection process earlier this year to develop and manage the Building a Safer Future (BSF) Charter.
The BSF Charter has been established to drive a culture change across the built environment; to help to drive a culture that seeks to ensure that buildings are safe for those living and working in them and seeks to protect life by putting safety first, ahead of all other building priorities.
It was originally conceived and created by a group of ‘Early Adopters’ comprising local authorities, contractors, housing associations and property developers, with the support of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
To develop and manage the BSF Charter, the CCS is working closely with the Early Adopters, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, and other relevant organisations to it forwards.
Speaking about how the CCS will work to develop and manage the BSF Charter going forwards, Chief Executive Amanda Long said: “We are focussing on raising standards in the industry and building public trust in relation to building safety. We will do this by providing a robust approach to benchmarking and independent verification of projects, as well as providing a public portal for anyone to raise concerns they may have about the safety of a building.
“At the same time, we are currently developing the BSF Charter’s Learning and Excellence Hub to create a community where best practice on building safety is shared and relevant examples, case studies and other resources are signposted. This will help to provide the ongoing information and collaboration space needed to support behaviour change, continuous engagement, and relevance.
We have received over 100 early expressions of interest from organisations and individuals across the built environment who would like to become a Registered Signatory and we look forward to these organisations and many more becoming part of the BSF Charter community.”
To find out more about the BSF Charter and to become a signatory of the Charter, click here.
For the latest government advice and news on building safety Click Here
Two of the most influential construction procurement bodies Crown Commercial Service and SCAPE have today adopted the Building a Safer Future (BSF) initiative and are embedding it within their frameworks.
Demonstrating clear sectoral leadership and taking proactive steps and action ahead of regulation, the procurement organisations will use their influence to drive change through their UK wide partner and supply chain networks.
The adoption of BSF will support the construction industry to address critical areas of challenge in relation to building safety – particularly focused on driving a step change in culture and leadership.
Crown Commercial Service and SCAPE will include both ‘BSF Champion’ status and ‘Registered Signatory’ status as requirements at different levels within their procurement frameworks and, working with BSF, will collaborate to encourage industry-wide adoption of this important initiative.
The BSF Charter was created to drive culture change in the built environment to help ensure that buildings are safe for those living and working in them and to protect life by putting safety first, ahead of all other building priorities. It is focussed on driving up standards, changing culture and behaviours and raising the bar in relation to building safety from design through to management and maintenance.
Construction companies can engage through becoming:
● A BSF Signatory – publicly and proactively supporting five pledges that demonstrate a commitment to protecting life by putting safety first, ahead of all other building priorities.
● A BSF Champion – through robust self-assessment, benchmarking and independent. verification, BSF helps companies identify potential issues and, in turn, develop continuous improvement plans to advance their overall approach and performance on leadership and culture in relation to building safety and drive up standards across the sector.
SCAPE is one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities, dedicated to creating spaces and places that leave a sustainable legacy within the community. The SCAPE group of companies also includes Arc Partnership, an innovative joint venture between SCAPE and Nottinghamshire County Council and Lungfish Architects. Each of the companies within SCAPE have committed to adopting the principles contained within the BSF Charter and to participating themselves in the BSF Champions programme where this is applicable.
Amanda Long, Chief Executive, Building a Safer Future, said:
I am delighted that two major procurement frameworks, Crown Commercial Service and SCAPE have chosen to adopt Building a Safer Future as a critical lever of change. This trailblazing development will further support the construction industry to take the critical steps to put building safety first, and recognise those that do so. I encourage other procurement frameworks to follow their lead.
John Welch, Deputy Director Construction, Crown Commercial Service, said:
“I am thrilled to be working in partnership with SCAPE and BSF on this hugely important development. This is a crucial first step in working collaboratively to demonstrate our joint commitment to building safety.
CCS are committed to supporting the industry to drive a fundamental culture change to building safety. Through the foundations put in place by our commercial agreements we will work together with our stakeholders, customers and suppliers to raise industry standards.”
Mark Robinson, SCAPE chief executive officer, commented:
“We firmly believe that nothing is so important that it cannot be delivered safely. Construction projects are complex and require extensive coordination. However, every construction project should put building safety first and ensure the wellbeing and safety of each building, operative, visitor and the wider local community. This should apply to every project, irrespective of size or complexity.
A culture of safety is a choice, and it is created by design. It requires constant communication, rigorous application and the ongoing evaluation of site operating procedures. At SCAPE, we’re proud to have amassed an exemplar track record on building safety across the UK, so we were thrilled to take a proactive leadership role with this important initiative.
The principles and commitments of Building a Safer Future and the BSF Champions process closely align to our own values and those held by our colleagues at Crown Commercial Service. As a team, we are delighted to lend our voice and experience to help bring about the cultural and behavioural change that is sorely needed across the sector.”
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