HSE launches research programme on Building Safety

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out research to measure the new regime’s impact on industry standards and building quality

The HSE is calling on professionals from across the UK’s construction and building safety sectors to take part in new research designed to evaluate how the post-Grenfell building safety regime is operating in practice. The work, carried out through the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), aims to establish a “robust baseline for industry” as the new regulatory system beds in.

HSE says the research will measure the impact of the regime on “industry standards and building quality”, with the findings expected to inform future policy decisions, statutory reviews, and the ongoing development of operational guidance.

The BSR was created under the Building Safety Act 2022 to strengthen oversight of higher-risk buildings (HRBs) and drive improvements in safety outcomes throughout their design, construction, and occupation. Central to the reforms is the Gateway process, introducing regulatory ‘hold points’ at critical stages of HRB development to ensure that safety considerations are fully addressed before work progresses.

HSE is undertaking an independent evaluation to understand how these processes are unfolding on real projects, describing the initiative as essential to examining “how the new requirements are being experienced by those involved in HRB design and construction, how effectively the processes support safer buildings, and whether there are any unintended impacts on ways of working.”

The regulator stresses that the project is in its early design phase and that industry participation now is crucial to ground the study in operational realities and build a credible evidence base from across the sector.

HSE says early engagement will help to “shape how the research is designed and delivered”, “identify the most relevant issues and experiences to explore”, and “ensure the right people are involved in the right way.” The process is also intended to test assumptions and identify any gaps or unintended consequences early.

Current research opportunities open to industry participants include:

• Regulation of the building control profession – with an invitation to share how BSR regulations are affecting professional practice, competence, and service delivery.
• Building control gateways and HRB design and construction – seeking feedback on how the Gateway system is influencing high-rise residential building quality and project workflows.

There will also be longitudinal case studies – an in-depth programme running through 2026–27, where participants will “offer in-depth perspectives on the gateway process” via online sessions. These can be registered for via email.

By gathering robust, frontline evidence on the implementation of the BSR regime, HSE hopes to identify what is working well and where further regulatory or operational refinement may be needed.