The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) strongly supports a warning from the Building Safety Regulator that main contractors must tighten their control of subcontractor quality, competence and compliance on higher-risk building projects (HRBs).
Regulator chair Andy Roe said the watchdog will step up scrutiny of how main contractors manage their supply chains, particularly as projects move from Gateway Two design approval towards Gateway Three completion. His message was clear: better designs will not protect residents unless they are delivered properly on site.
Lord Roe called for stronger evidence of management, accountability and quality control across subcontracted work. The former London Fire Commissioner, who attended the Grenfell Tower fire, warned that although the industry had made progress, weak oversight still posed an unacceptable risk.
“This is exactly the intervention the sector needs,” said BESA’s director of specialist knowledge Rachel Davidson. “Demonstrating the competence and quality of the supply chain is no longer an option; it is a fundamental part of meeting legal duties.
“Clients must have confidence that those they appoint have the skills, knowledge, experience, behaviours and organisational capability needed to deliver safe, compliant buildings.”
BESA said the Regulator’s warning reinforced the importance of its Member Pledge initiative, launched last year when leading members committed to putting professional and technical competence at the heart of their operations and requiring the same standards from their supply chains.
This has led to more supply chain firms applying for membership so they can demonstrate competence and compliance through BESA’s independent technical audit system. The Association’s Competence Assessment Standard (CAS) is aligned with the Build UK Common Assessment Standard and has been updated to reflect the requirements of the Building Safety Act.
BESA also stressed that the audit process focuses specifically on whether companies can “actually do the job” for which they are being appointed. Companies are re-audited every three years, or more frequently where required, giving clients greater assurance that contractors meet quality requirements and are technically competent to carry out their role.
BESA recently published a Clients’ Guide to the Building Safety Act, which explains the legal duties attached to the client’s role and how to keep projects compliant at every stage. It also clarifies the specific requirements for HRBs, common pitfalls to avoid and the consequences of getting it wrong.
“Crucially, the Guide should also give contractors the confidence to challenge poor client decisions and procurement errors that could compromise safety or quality,” added Davidson. “Under the legislation, contractors are duty bound to refuse to start work unless they are satisfied the client fully understands their responsibilities.”
For more information and targeted guidance, visit BESA’s Building Safety Act Hub.