BUSINESS SUPPORT _ BUILDING SAFETY ACT
Compliant characteristics Forget the legalese and jargon – here’s what competence means under the Building Safety Act
Six steps to competence 1 Identify appropriate competence frameworks. 2 Select individuals against clear criteria. 3 Contextualise competence for the building type. 4 Evaluate performance. 5 Address gaps through mentoring and development. 6 Review and refine the process.
C ompetence is a word at Tetra Consulting. “We often focus heavily on qualifications,” explains Lundy. “But having a high-level qualification doesn’t automatically make someone competent.” Under the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA), that distinction matters – particularly for SME builders working on partic frequently used but seldom clearly defined, says Dr Shaun Lundy, Chief Strategy Officer
higher-risk buildings, although the Act applies to all building work.
What is SKEB? Lundy uses SKEB to define competence: Skills – can the individual physically and technically carry out the task? Knowledge – do they understand regulations, standards and risks? Experience – have they delivered similar work successfully before? Behaviours – do they act responsibly, challenge poor practice and follow through on quality? Qualifications are only part of the picture, Lundy says. For SME builders, this means asking tough questions on site: Does the fire-stopping installer understand compartmentation principles – or just hold a card? Does the site supervisor challenge deviations from specification? Do subcontractors raise concerns about substitution s? The intelligent customer test The Grenfell Tower Inquiry taught us about failure to act as an “intelligent customer”. The fire risk assessor at Grenfell exaggerated their qualifications – and procurement decision-makers did not check the credentials. Being an intelligent customer – which applies to clients, principal contractors appointing subcontractors and specialists – means: verifying qualifications and memberships; understanding accreditations; checking experience on comparable projects; and being confident enough to challenge claims of competence by others.
Scalable but consistent Competence also refers to the systems businesses rely on, which Lundy says “must be scalable” and “the outcome – competent people – must be consistent”. His advice is Plan, Do–Check–Act. Plan Identify high-risk trades (fire stopping, structural works, cladding). Define competence using SKEB. Do Verify qualifications and accreditations. Discuss relevant experience. Deliver structured inductions. . Check Inspect critical works. Keep photographic records. Respond to building control feedback.
Grenfell Tower after the devastating fire in 2017
Act
Address skills gaps. Maintain approved contractor lists. Update processes and training. Demonstrating competence Under the BSA, documentation, evidence and audit trails are essential. But competence also includes: culture; leadership; and psychological safety.
“The bar is being raised,” Lundy says. “Everyone must come on that journey.”
36 Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
Photo: iStock
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