The Grenfell Tower fire tragedy claimed the lives of 72 innocent people with Richard Millett QC, lead counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, describing how a "long run-up of incompetence" led to the deadly events, and that every death was "avoidable".
Posted 02 September 2024
Responding to the publication of the second and final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report, Visiting Professor Mike Leonard from Birmingham City University's “Centre for Future Homes” said:
"7 years after the tragic Grenfell fire, the publication of this report outlines the systemic failures of a construction sector, driven by a race to the bottom, incompetence, very poor behaviour and inadequate regulation and control."
Mike Leonard added:
"As we reflect on the loss life we must fully embrace the new legislation and effect a major cultural change, putting life safety and quality first. Our buildings should be non-combustible and resilient to the effects of climate change including overheating, wind, flood and wildfires. Birmingham City University and our Awarding Body of the Built Environment continue to work with industry to develop routes to ensure people are competent in their roles and can demonstrate the right behaviours. Today our thoughts are with those who lost their lives and with their families. We must never forget the human cost of this wholly avoidable event.”
On 20 September 2024 Birmingham City University (BCU) will be holding its next Building Safer Futures Conference, bringing experts together in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report targeting the industry, especially subcontractors and dealing with 'competency gap' by developing a qualification and passport on industry standards.
The previous conference on 20 September 2023 saw participants from across the Built Environment come together to discuss the urgent need to adapt the way they do business, in light of the significant legislative changes that came into force on the 1 October 2023 under the Building Safety Act requiring all employers to ensure their workforce is ‘competent’ to carry out their duties. The associated introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and the national oversight of construction product regulation within the Office for Product Safety Standards (OPSS) aims to encourage increased competence. The BSR and OPSS have been given powers to enforce the rules and act against those that break them.
Mike Leonard said:
"Since the Great Fire of London in 1666 politicians have legislated by disaster, driven by a huge public outcry following events such as the Summerland fire on the Isle of Wight in 1973, the Bradford City stadium fire in 1985, the fire at Kings Cross station in 1987 and most recently the inferno at Grenfell. The Building Safety Act 2022 aims to create a change in culture, behaviour and working practices across the Built Environment to ensure that through increased competence the events which happened at Grenfell can never happen again."
Andrew Moore – Head of Operations, Building Safety Regulator, part of the Health and Safety Executive said:
“From a regulator’s perspective I would say the key to meeting the new requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the new fire safety legislation which will come into effect at the same time is ‘design, design, design’. From now on, it won’t be possible to put a spade in the ground until the building design has been approved by BSR."
Duncan Johnson – Deputy Director, Construction Products Regulation, Office for Product Safety Standards said:
"OPSS is delighted to see construction product manufacturers and suppliers collaborating to ensure the competence of their workforce. It’s this sort of cooperation that will help the UK deliver better, safer buildings."
Find out more about BCU's Centre for Future Homes.