WOBO thanks Workplace DNA for the update in respect of the Building Safety Manager.
The Building Safety Bill was published on 5 July, giving residents of higher-risk buildings more power to hold builders and developers to account and toughening sanctions against those who threaten their safety.
One key development of the Bill is the introduction of the role of the Building Safety Manager, which has been designed to look after the day-to-day management of fire and structural safety in higher-risk buildings and establish a clear point of contact for residents for fire and safety related issues.
According to the draft Bill, the client, the designer, the contractor, a newly appointed Accountable Person and the Building Safety Manager are all duty-holders. It establishes a sanctions regime for Accountable Persons and Building Safety Managers and makes the regulator responsible for enforcement through the issuing of compliance notices. Under clause 91, an Accountable Person or Building Safety Manager who, without reasonable excuse, breaches a compliance notice, is liable to a fine and/or up to two years’ imprisonment.
However, there have been concerns raised around the lack of clarity around the respective responsibilities and liabilities of Accountable Persons and Building Safety Managers.