What is the Building Safety Act?
Everything you need to know about the Building Safety Act 2022 and why it matters to you
The Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 is a piece of UK legislation that was designed to overhaul the way in which higher-risk buildings are constructed and managed. As of April 2026, most core provisions are in force across England, with some elements still being embedded via phased implementation and regulatory guidance.
The introduction of the BSA has had sweeping implications for the UK construction sector, and for compliance standards. It’s more important than ever to ensure that your team is fully up to date with all relevant safety training.
Key Areas of the Legislation
Introduced largely in response to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, the BSA is one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation ever implemented in the construction sector. It lays out clear guidelines for the roles, responsibilities, and standards required to ensure the long-term safety of occupants of higher-risk buildings.
The BSA established the Building Safety Regulator to oversee a three-stage “Gateway” approval process, ensuring safety is verified from design through to occupation. Central to the Act is the “golden thread,” which is a digital record of safety information, and the mandate for clearly defined Dutyholders to manage risks.
How Does the Building Safety Act Impact Construction Workers?
The Act mandates higher competence standards, requiring workers to prove specific skills and training for their roles. Due to the aforementioned “golden thread” of digital record-keeping, safety-critical information must be accurately recorded and maintained, particularly in Higher-Risk Buildings.
Ultimately, employers in the construction sector must be able to prove that their workforce has up-to-date safety and skills training, and is fully compliant with the BSA. The key challenge for organisations is not just understanding the legislation, but being able to evidence competence and compliance across their workforce when required.
How to Ensure Compliance
Compliance with the BSA involves more than just ticking a box; it’s an ongoing legal obligation that your entire organisation needs to uphold. If you want to make sure your workforce is up to date with the legislation, CST Training now offers a Building Safety Act e-learning programme, which we tailor to the operational structure of your specific organisation.
This bespoke online training will ensure that your workforce fully understands their responsibilities, and how their work aligns with the BSA.
If you’re currently reviewing your BSA compliance strategy, contact us today and we can build a programme that suits your needs.
Download Our Building Safety Act Guide
Frequently Asked Questions: Building Safety Act 2022
What is the Building Safety Act?
The BSA is UK legislation which overhauls residential safety. It mandates strict “Gateways,” digital record-keeping (the golden thread), and accountability for “Higher-Risk Buildings” (HRBs) while introducing protections for qualifying leaseholders from certain remediation costs.
Does the legislation apply to all construction workers or just those on high-rises?
While the most stringent controls apply to Higher-Risk Buildings, competence and regulatory expectations under the Act influence wider construction activity in England.
What is the “golden thread”?
The golden thread is a digital record ensuring that critical data follows a building from construction, to occupation, to ongoing management. All safety-critical information must be accurately recorded, maintained, and accessible throughout the building lifecycle.
How do I ensure my workforce is compliant with the Building Safety Act?
When it comes to construction legislation in general, you must ensure workers are trained, competent, and that this can be evidenced through clear records, qualifications, and ongoing assessment aligned to their role.
At CST Training, we also offer bespoke BSA e-learning programmes. To ensure your workforce’s knowledge of the legislation is up to date, contact us today and we’ll develop a training programme that’s tailored to your organisation.
Who is the “Accountable Person”?
The Accountable Person (AP) is the person responsible for an HRB’s safety.
This role, typically held by the building owner or manager, covers maintenance of structural safety and common parts.
What are “Dutyholders”?
Dutyholders are the specific individuals or organisations- such as clients, designers, and contractors- legally responsible for planning, managing, and monitoring building safety throughout a project’s lifecycle.
Under the BSA, they are mandated to ensure all work complies with building regulations, maintain the “golden thread” of digital information, and ensure that those they appoint are competent to carry out their roles
Is the Building Safety Act applicable to the rest of the UK?
The Building Safety Act applies primarily in England. Wales is developing its own parallel legislation, while Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under separate building safety frameworks.
What kinds of building projects are affected by the legislation?
The legislation introduces wider competence and accountability expectations across the construction industry, but its most stringent requirements apply to Higher-Risk Buildings.
Is there a training course specific to the BSA?
At CST Training, we develop custom e-learning tailored to your organisation, ensuring your team understands their legal responsibilities as they pertain to the BSA.
Our flexible online format delivers consistent, high-quality training for your team’s convenience. If you’re currently reviewing your compliance strategy, contact us today for more information.
Are there repercussions for failing to comply?
Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, criminal liability in serious cases, and financial penalties.
