IIRSM boosts support for building risk management by supporting the call for a central register for Building Safety Managers

Following Dame Judith Hackitt's challenge to the construction and housing sectors to raise the quality of buildings and competencies of all those working in the sectors, and to change the overall 'culture' to one of accountability and integrity, particularly for those responsible for residential blocks, formed the Industry Response Group.

Within this group, a Competence Steering Group was formed, chaired by the Construction Industry Council (CIC). The CIC then established 12 working groups to address reform of the competencies across the sectors.

Working Group 8 was created to realise Dame Judith's concept of a 'Building Safety Manager' (BSM) - they published their report in June 2020, with recommendations. One of their most significant recommendation related to the competencies necessary for the role of the BSM. This work is being taken forward by British Standards Institute (BSI) to develop PAS 8763 which will set out requirements and guidance for the assessment of these competencies. It is intended to be publish in December 2021, after public consultations.

Another significant recommendation was to establish a single not-for-profit, and fully governed body to undertake the assessment of potential BSMs, and a single register for those who have successfully been assessed as 'Competent' against PAS 8763.

Keith Scott FIIRSM RSP and member of Work Group 8 is IIRSM’s nominated representative supporting the group ‘s proposal for the development of an independent organisation to manage a central register of BSMs and those organisations responsible for managing higher risk residential buildings.

The Working Group call for:

1.  A single ‘end point’ assessment standard for the nominated individual, to be included in the BSM competence standard.

2.  A single national register

i.  In first phase to include both nominated individuals and organisations

ii.  In second phase to be extended to BSM organisations and contractors and suppliers working in, on or around higher risk buildings.

IIRSM believes having an Industry led, not-for-profit organisation with the appropriate governance, culture, transparency, and sanctions would greatly improve the management of risks related to higher risk residential buildings, providing a safer environment for those who live in them.

An inaugural meeting will take place on 15th March and has a wide range of organisations supporting the proposal.