LABC welcomes publication of Building Safety Bill

LABC – the membership organisation for public service building control – has welcomed the publication of the Building Safety Bill. 

The bill – based on last year’s draft bill – sets out the government’s proposals to make buildings safer and includes clauses introducing the professional registration of building control surveyors. Certain building control activities will now only be able to be undertaken by an appropriately qualified and registered building inspector.

Other provisions concern the setting up and operation of the Building Safety Regulator, extensions to the definition of higher risk buildings to now include, during design and construction only, hospitals and care homes above the 18m/7storey height threshold, as well as other reforms such as a system of duty holders and measures to boost the competence of the industry. The Bill received a ‘first reading’ on Monday 5 July where it was formally introduced to the House of Commons.

LABC has worked closely with others in the industry and with government and the HSE through the Joint Regulators’ Group which has piloted some of the measures in the Bill including the multi-disciplinary approach between the HSE, fire and rescue services and local authorities to deal with higher risk buildings.

Commenting, LABC Chief Executive Lorna Stimpson says, “LABC welcomes the announcement of the Building Safety Bill – it is an absolutely vital part of the regulatory reform needed to make our buildings safer. We particularly welcome the proposals for a national register of building control surveyors which is a key part of the quality, standards and competence programme we have been investing in for more than four years.

“Over this time we have transformed the way our network operates and seen our 3,500 individual members step up by getting themselves and their teams ISO accredited and signing up for our huge variety of training, learning, competency validations and other professional development. 

“However, we need to go further still, so LABC will be supporting the government, HSE and industry efforts to continue the transformation of our industry so people can be confident the buildings in which they live and work are safe.”