Hackitt slams industry’s ‘wait and see’ stance on building safety

Aaron Morby 5 years ago
Share

Dame Judith Hackitt has blasted the industry’s professional bodies for failing to rise to the moral obligation of improving safety ahead of planned tough new building laws in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

Over the next year Dame Judith Hackitt aims to recognise and accredit those organisations that are stepping up to deliver improved practices
Over the next year Dame Judith Hackitt aims to recognise and accredit those organisations that are stepping up to deliver improved practices

To mark the publication of her Industry Safety Steering Group’s (ISSG) second report, Dame Judith warned that she feared the expected economic downturn due to Covid-19 could result in corners being cut once more and commercial pressures being used as the excuse for further poor practice and delay.

She said: “In the last year it has become clear that some parts of the industry are making real progress but it has been equally frustrating for me and my colleagues on ISSG to keep hearing that others are waiting to see what the new regulatory regime looks like before they take action.

“Given the clear evidence that continues to emerge of concerns about high rise building safety which go beyond ACM cladding, we believe that there is a moral obligation on the industry to step up to a different approach.”

Dame Judith revealed that the steering group, which was initially only set up for two years, would continue to operate until the new legislation on building safety is in place and the Building Safety Regulator is up and running.

Her report states: “In 2018, I called for professional bodies to demonstrate and deliver leadership that drives a shift in culture.

“The ISSG has continued that call but sadly, our urgent calls for proactive, collaborative leadership does not yet appear to have been heeded.

“While some headway has been made there remains a lack of urgency and a feeling that organisations are already doing their bit, which in the ISSG’s view, doesn’t currently go far enough.”

Dame Judith said certain parts of the industry were rising to the challenge including the Construction Leadership Council which had set out goals to improve building safety in its roadmap for recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

She also highlighted the positive leadership efforts of Mace, Willmott Dixon, Vistry Partnerships, RICS and the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

“We will continue to challenge the industry on the pace and progress of culture change. This will include highlighting best practice and those organisations that are pushing ahead with the necessary changes ahead of legislation and helping others in the system to do so too,” she pledged.

Link to latest ISSG report.

 

Latest news

Balfour Beatty terminates Danny Sullivan labour deals

Around 500 workers on HS2 will be moved to alternative agencies or be taken on direct
20 hours ago

Trio face prosecution after Hinkley site death

Main contractors and client to face charges over death of site supervisor
20 hours ago

Buyers see recovery in house building sector

But civil and commercial work still in the doldrums
1 day ago

Apprentice saws-off thumb on hotel refurb site

Court hears how digit was reattached and teenager continued training with another firm
1 day ago

Laing O’Rourke tops June contracts league

£919m animal super lab dominates new orders
2 days ago

TSL turnover smashes £500m as profit almost trebles

Data centre and logistics contractor rises high on surging demand
1 day ago

Gleeson Homes chief exec leaves business after restructure

Management revamp after "challenging" year
2 days ago

Green light for 1,600-home Oldham town centre overhaul

Plans for over 1,600 homes across six regeneration sites approved
2 days ago

DSM wins Norwich city centre clearance job

Anglia Square shopping centre clearance for £300m scheme
2 days ago

13-year-old becomes UK’s youngest qualified digger driver

Grandson of Gallagher Group chairman sets industry record
2 days ago

Cubby reborn in £12m Svella-backed takeover

£50m revenue target set as 14 firms combine under new Cubby Group banner
2 days ago

North East NHS trusts plot £3bn health estate overhaul

Market engagement begins for major construction push across four trusts
2 days ago

HG goes green on cranes in £1.2m switch to battery power

Diesel-free crane drive cuts fuel bills by 94%
3 days ago

Developer fined £165,000 for fire safety failings

Firm ignored fire safety orders on apartment job in Preston
3 days ago

Bidding to start for £1.8bn North West framework

Contractors invited to bid for latest Procure Partnerships deal
3 days ago

Hill hits record £90m profit as homes pipeline swells

Build-to-rent push and £4.8bn contracting book to fuel next growth phase
3 days ago

Rayner unveils £39bn plan to build 300,000 social homes

Council building revival and rent reform feature in social and affordable homes plan
4 days ago

Keltbray bounces back with £3.2m profit

Tighter controls and smarter project selection fuel strong turnaround
4 days ago

VINCI JV wins 500-home twin town centre revamps

Chester Northgate phase 2 and Northwich Weaver Square schemes move to delivery stage
4 days ago

80 energy projects unlocked as Ofgem backs grid expansion

£24bn energy networks deal gets green light from regulator
4 days ago

How to see your stories on the Enquirer

Join our Suppliers and Buyers directory to get your news published
4 days ago

Henley lands Midland Mill revamp on Leeds tower scheme

Restoration of 18th-century mill kicks off on South Bank regeneration project
3 days ago

New boss at Eric Wright Civil Engineering

Gavin Hulme takes top job as Diane Bourne moves to group role
4 days ago

Pinewood submits £1bn data centre plan

Studio giant adds green and learning spaces to tech hub blueprint
5 days ago

Record results after TClarke goes private

Britain's biggest M&E contractor flourishes after de-listing
5 days ago

Dalkia lands £200m nuclear maintenance deal

1,000 nuclear FM staff to join M&E contractor
4 days ago

Construction comeback to outpace wider economy

Arcadis forecast fueled by spending review optimism
5 days ago

First steel goes up on giant car battery site

Severfield gets to work on McAlpine Somerset site
5 days ago

Permasteelisa wins cladding deal on Bovis city tower

Facade specialist lands package at 60 Gracechurch Street
4 days ago

Fox buys recycled asphalt specialist Fisher

Acquisition adds major recycled asphalt capacity in north west
5 days ago