HSE initiates safety case toolkit for high-rise residential buildings

Emboldening the safety case principles published by the HSE last year, the organisation has continued its work with partners in the public and private sector to develop information that it hopes will form a toolkit for building owners and managers.

The initial element of this toolkit is a short summary of the key things that buildings owners and managers can do to prepare. It’s intended to be a quick read in order to help individuals and organisations understand what they can do.

In fact, the HSE has now published this headline document on its website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/building-safety/how-to-prepare.htm

In the coming months, this will be followed by further information that builds on the safety case principles from last year. This will include new material that has been introduced by the HSE following the very helpful suggestions and comments received from early adopters, private landlords, social housing providers and other industry consultees.

Preparation must begin now

Tim Galloway, deputy director of the Building Safety Programme at the HSE, has encouraged organisations and individuals to begin their preparations now.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve published this information in such a digestible form,” said Galloway. “I want to thank all of our partners for their invaluable contribution. We all want safe buildings, and I would encourage building owners to start their preparations for the new regime now rather than wait for all of the details to be developed. I think the existing principles, this headline document and the further information to come will really help in this regard.”

*Further information about safety cases and safety case reports is available online at https://www.hse.gov.uk/building-safety/safety-cases-reports.htm

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