building safety

    Buildings With Cranes iStock Vladimirovic

    CDM prosecutions – what can we learn from them?

    Construction, design and management is an approach used within the construction industry that integrates all stages of a project. It considers all aspects of a construction process from the initial design and planning to the construction and maintenance of the building or structure.

    By Kevin Bridges and Hannah Beaumont, Pinsent Masons on 15 March 2024

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    Building firm boss receives suspended prison sentence after worker crushed to death onsite

    Building company Stonehurst Estates Ltd has been fined £450,000 and its director has received a suspended prison sentence, following the death of a worker at a development site in Birmingham.

    By Kerry Reals on 15 February 2024

    Rhian Greaves DAC Beachcroft

    Lawyer makes case for civil sanctions to address health and safety breaches

    The use of civil sanctions as an alternative to criminal prosecution for certain workplace health and safety breaches should be considered, Rhian Greaves, a partner at law firm DAC Beachcroft, argued during a presentation at the SHW Live North conference in Manchester on 23 January.

    By Kerry Reals on 26 January 2024

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    Number of schools with at-risk concrete continues to grow

    The number of schools in England where at-risk concrete has been identified has risen to 174, according to the Department for Education (DfE).

    By Belinda Liversedge on 26 September 2023

    High Rise Building Istock Credit Explora 2005

    'Register high rise buildings by 1 October, or face penalties,' says BSR

    The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has warned owners that “time is running out” to avoid criminal charges if they have not yet registered their high-rise buildings.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 26 September 2023

    Graphic tall building safety

    Golden threads – delivering safety in buildings and beyond

    The golden thread topic has no doubt featured many times before. With it being summer 2023, the registration of higher-risk buildings is in full swing, and the policy on the golden thread of information is being finalised with secondary legislation enshrining it expected in various waves soon.

    By Sofie Hooper, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management on 16 August 2023

    Construction workers shaking hands

    Building a safer future

    A new charter and benchmarking scheme aims to encourage all stakeholders in the built environment industry to develop the necessary leadership and culture to put people’s safety first in how we design, build and maintain the built environment.

    By Gary Townsend Vila, Building a Safer Future on 15 August 2023

    Flats tall buildings grenfell

    Progress made and challenges ahead – Grenfell six years on

    On the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, 2023 has seen a significant rollout of legislative changes to fire safety in high-rise residential buildings that highlight the progress made and the challenges that yet remain.

    By Aisha Farooq, Fire Protection Association on 08 August 2023

    Laura White, senior associate, Pinsent Masons LLP.

    Competence and culture change in the built environment: important developments

    By Laura White, senior associate, Pinsent Masons LLP. on 01 August 2023

    Tall Buildings Bsr Med Istock Credit Nirian

    The gateways to building safety

    A new ‘gateway’ approval process aims to ensure the safety of certain high-rise residential buildings in Britain.

    By Colin Blatchford-Brown, HSE on 21 February 2023