Safety sector heavyweights air strong views on final Grenfell Inquiry report

Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, noted: “We are very concerned by the findings outlined in the final report from the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, particularly so the flagrant disregard of safety from those involved. Let’s be clear on this matter. Chances should never be taken when it comes to people’s safety.”

Wilkinson remarked: “What we must make sure of is that there’s never a repeat of that awful night in June 2017. Although we are now several years on from the tragedy of Grenfell, we hope the published report will give much-needed impetus to the crucial work on the development of standards that’s really needed to make buildings safer across the UK.”

According to Wilkinson, the remedial work undertaken following Dame Judith Hackitt’s recommendations in 2018 has been far too slow. “We are still plagued by unsafe buildings. This was clearly demonstrated by the fire in Dagenham on 26 August.”

Continuing that theme, Wilkinson observed: “Put simply, people’s lives are at stake. We want to see increased momentum given to the removal of dangerous cladding, to learning lessons and to implementing recommendations from the report. All stakeholders have a role to play in this matter. Safety, including fire safety, is everyone’s responsibility. It must be actioned throughout the lifecycle of a building, from the planning and design stage right through construction and on again to a given building’s use, including any remedial or renovation work.”

Wilkinson and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health are calling on the Government to provide more clarity on the action it’s intending to take “as soon as possible”. Further, Wilkinson stated: “We want assurances that the Building Safety Regulator has the necessary resources it needs.”

In terms of new build dwellings, Wilkinson asserted: “We note the keenness of the Government to build 300,000 new homes across the country under the New Homes Accelerator Programme. As the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report suggest that safety was ignored, delayed or otherwise disregarded due to the regulation agenda at that time, the Government must ensure that any plans put in place have robust building and safety management at their very heart.”

In conclusion, Wilkinson said: “The UK has a legacy of poor-quality housing stock. We must learn lessons and strive for a meaningful reset to build better and safer, and for the Government to ensure we have high-quality and safe housing for future generations. No matter who was responsible for the Grenfell Tower fire, the root cause determined in the findings was sloppiness and turning a blind eye to safety risks. We cannot let that happen again.”

Shared responsibility

Also responding to the Phase 2 final report published by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry team, Peter McGettrick (chair of the British Safety Council) explained: “We welcome the publication of the final report. It is both a sobering and comprehensive document which has brought forensic attention to the institutional failings that led to this tragedy, the responsibility for which must be shared across multiple stakeholders.”

McGettrick feels that safety must be at the core of any changes going forward. “We need to see an appropriate and proportionate response by all parties, which delivers on the recommendations in the Inquiry Panel’s final report and ensures greater clarity, transparency and professionalism at all levels.”

The British Safety Council is adamant that progress has been made in the past seven years, especially so in terms of new legislation and regulation on building safety and social housing, but also believes that there’s much more work still to be transacted. “The Inquiry Panel’s recommendations build on the work completed to date. We look forward to the Government’s response.”

Lesley Rudd, CEO of Electrical Safety First, commented: “We welcome the publication of the Phase 2 report, which is an important step forward in addressing the safety concerns raised by the Grenfell tragedy. Our deepest sympathies remain with the families and loved ones of the 72 people who lost their lives, as well as all those who continue to be affected.”

Further, Rudd asserted: “The report reinforces the urgent need for action to protect residents and prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. We remain focused on reducing the risk of electrical fires, which continue to pose a significant danger in homes right across the UK. We remain committed to working with the Government and other organisations to improve safety standards and support efforts to ensure everyone can feel safe in their homes.”

“Serious and comprehensive reflection”

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has welcomed publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report. The Public Inquiry’s findings are a “serious and comprehensive reflection” of the worst of UK construction’s culture and practices, suggests the CLC, which led to a tragedy that “should and could have been avoided”. The CLC “fully respects” these findings and offers its sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and, indeed, the wider Grenfell community.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel has put forward a number of recommendations for both the construction industry and Government to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. “As the representative body for the entire UK construction industry, the CLC will now study these recommendations and engage with industry and the Government as to how they can be taken forward through ongoing work on building safety.”

Across the past seven years, the CLC and its many members have made building safety one of the highest priorities, actively working to learn from the failures at Grenfell and reform the sector’s culture, behaviours and competence. Much of that work is summarised in a recent CLC report.

“While progress has been made,” concluded the CLC, “we know that more work can and should be done to fulfil the CLC’s ambition of establishing an industry that can be trusted to deliver safe and high-quality buildings for those who live and work in them. We remain fully committed to this goal.”

Jack Pringle, chair of the Board of Directors at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), has also welcomed the Inquiry Panel’s “thorough examination” of the causes of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower and accepts the report’s findings.

“Only through the objective, independent and expert analysis of the evidence so sadly created by the events of 14 June 2017 can a safer built environment emerge,” stated Pringle. “The failures which led to the fire were system-wide, with myriad contributing factors in the years preceding, on the morning of and in the aftermath of the tragedy.”  

The report makes clear that people’s safety requires reform of structures and regulations. This includes systemic change within the construction industry and a fundamental shift in culture and behaviours. “This is a collaborative endeavour,” assured Pringle, “and the RIBA has committed to playing a leading role.”  

The Inquiry Panel has noted that, since June 2017, the RIBA has taken steps to improve education and training in the architectural profession. “With the benefit of these comprehensive Inquiry Panel findings, and as recommended, we will review the measures already introduced,” said Pringle.  

Concluding his statement, Pringle commented: “Many of the Phase 2 report’s insights and recommendations, particularly so on the role and responsibilities of an architect, have great relevance for our members. We will take time to study them in detail, update our members and continue to play an active role in the creation of a safer built environment.”

Collective failure

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has been strong in its response to the final findings of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.

“Grenfell was unforgiveable. The end result of collective failure. A tragedy that impacted people and families and those that came to help them. We welcome the Inquiry Panel’s recommendations as another crucial step forward in ensuring that the nation’s housing stock is safe for all.”

Alongside its members, the RICS will “play its part” in putting the Inquiry Panel’s recommendations into practice. “Working with all parties, we will continue to strengthen expertise and understanding of building and fire safety issues through continuous learning and skills improvements, alongside improvements to standards.”

Former structural engineer Anita Punwani, chair of the Institute of Risk Management’s Environmental, Social and Governance Group, has also offered insight on the Phase 2 report.

“At the heart of this disaster was the decision to use combustible, plastic-filled cladding panels in the external walls of the residential building as well as a failure of governance, notably that around Building Regulations, testing and certification. Those involved in the construction sector do have lessons to learn from this event but, having had first-hand experience of the sector by working with professions involved in the design, procurement, construction and maintenance of buildings, I know them to be absolutely dedicated to health, safety, security and the environment.”

Punwani concluded: “The failing that stands out in my mind in relation to Grenfell Tower concerns the finding that some organisations were able to obtain misleading certificates relating to their products. This unethical practice is not an industry norm. Still, it will be taken seriously in learning lessons and enacting any necessary changes in a sector fully committed to risk management and continuous improvement. The Government has already reiterated its responsibility in the public statements that have been made.”