Do you know the Dutyholder Roles and Responsibilities in the Building Safety Act?

One of the most important changes is the dutyholder regime detailed under part 2a of the Building Regulations. It is designed to regulate and hold to account, those who are responsible for planning and executing the construction of new buildings and, the renovation of existing ones.

Under the regulations, the dutyholder is defined as the client (the person who is responsible for commissioning the building work), the principal designer and the principal contractor. Where there is more than one designer or contractor on a project, there must be an agreement and declaration in writing as to which holds the role of 'principal'.

The regime comes with competence requirements for all dutyholders. They need the right skills, knowledge, and experience for the design and construction work they're responsible for. Additionally, they must restrict themselves only to work that falls within the scope of their competence. These competency requirements extend to all construction projects where building regulations apply.

Under the regime, dutyholders will also need to ensure that there are processes in place to plan, oversee and regularly inspect design and building work to ensure compliance with building regulations. They must also cooperate with each other in coordinating work and providing information to the other duty holders.

What's more, dutyholders will be obligated to report to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), any circumstances that may pose a risk of fatal or severe injuries. These disclosures come with whistle-blower guarantees, which protects those reporting concerns, shielding them from criminal prosecution. Neglecting this obligation could result in criminal charges.

Source – tomorrowshs