Building safety act raises questions for construction sector
Synergie Training study reveals knowledge gap and scepticism among the construction and infrastructure sector
New research by a leading IT, construction and infrastructure training company, Synergie Training, reveals that nearly half (46.7%) of the three hundred construction and infrastructure professionals it surveyed admitted they require a deeper understanding of the implications of the Building Safety Act (2022) for their businesses.*
Mixed industry views on the Building Safety Act
Whilst the majority (54%) view the Act as a positive development, 37% of all respondents are sceptical about the Act’s ability to improve safety standards due to challenges in implementation, enforcement, or industry readiness for compliance. The findings underscore a critical need for enhanced clarity and support to ensure it achieves its full potential.
80% of those who ‘disagree’ that the Act is a positive development said this was due to the absence of clear metrics for assessing ‘competence’ and 60% put their opinions down to the additional costs and time required for compliance. Of those who ‘strongly disagree’, 76% cited the delays caused by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) backlog of building assessment certificate (BAC) applications and 56% gave regulatory burdens with a lack of clarity or support and the lack of metrics for assessing ‘competence’ as their main reasons.
Industry voices
Project Managers, Architects, Health & Safety Directors and Structural Engineers showed the highest confidence in their understanding, while Designers were most likely to admit a lack of knowledge and a need for further support or training.
Synergie Training’s research identified a range of other significant hurdles, beyond seeking a clearer understanding of the Act’s requirements. These included challenges with practical implementation and a perceived lack of clear metrics for assessing competence, as well as an excessive regulatory burden without sufficient clarity or support for implementation, resulting in inefficiencies and frustration. There was also a clear concern raised regarding the additional costs and time required for compliance, which could strain smaller firms and disrupt workflows without proportional benefits.
Bridging the Building Safety Act training gap
“Only one in three of the professionals we surveyed said they feel ‘strongly positive’ about the changes introduced by the Act, indicating a broader sentiment of cautious optimism rather than unreserved enthusiasm,” commented Clark Hunter, Sales Director for Synergie Training, part of the TTC Group. “Our findings paint a clear picture: whilst the construction industry acknowledges the vital importance and positive intent of the Building Safety Act, such as improved safety, accountability and a cultural shift, it also needs to be better armed with practical guidance to deliver on its requirements.
“The ‘understanding gap’ and concerns around implementation, particularly regarding competence metrics and regulatory burdens, must be addressed to ensure the Act’s full and successful integration across all levels and roles within the industry. Synergie Training is committed to providing the training and resources necessary to bridge this gap, fostering a safer, more transparent, and more confident construction sector.”
To help businesses navigate the complexities of the legislation, Synergie Training has launched a range of new Building Safety Act training courses, targeted at increasing understanding of The Act and the secondary legislation improving construction competency and meeting safety obligations for high-risk buildings.