“To rebuild trust we must deliver buildings that are safe.” So said Dame Judith Hackitt at an online national building safety conference presented by the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET).

Dame Judith stressed the need for competency, accountability, and responsibility to be at the heart of the new building safety system in order to rebuild the public’s trust in providing safe homes for people to live in.

Dame Judith is an engineer who previously chaired the Health & Safety Executive and now chairs the manufacturing trade body Make UK (formerly the Engineering Employers Federation). She headed the Independent Review of Building Regulations & Fire Safety that followed the Grenfell Tower fire.

As keynote speaker at the first session of the IET National Conference for Electrotechnical & Building Safety Competence (to give it its full title) on 31 January, Dame Judith also reiterated the importance of a culture change in the whole built environment sector ahead of regulatory change.

She said good building practices need to be incentivised by using disciplinary sanctions for those who exploit the system.

She explained how legislation will incentivise the take up of professional registration, which in turn will help to demonstrate competency. She stressed how the focus must be on delivering quality buildings that are safe, with genuine engagement with residents being essential to rebuild trust.

Currently there is a fragmented way of looking at buildings – walls, electrics, foundations, and so on – when in fact for them to work successfully as a whole building they should be considered together and linked by competency and quality assurance.

Dame Judith: “It is not good enough for people to simply say ‘my bit’s ok, it’s the other people who got it wrong, not me’. We need to start getting people to work together, to collaborate, and recognise that it is the overall outcome that matters.”

She added: “What matters is that everyone should be able to feel safe in their home. That is everyone’s right, irrespective of the type of dwelling they live in. That’s why we need to have this risk-based approach, and why competence and quality assurance must become part of the new culture across the whole of construction.”

The IET National Conference for Electrotechnical & Building Safety Competence, which is being delivered virtually across two dates, aims to bring experts together, working with or within the electrotechnical sector and in building services/safety related roles, with a key focus on individual competence, accountability and continuing professional development.

Sir Julian Young, IET President, says: “Professional registration is an important milestone for any engineer or technician, as it demonstrates professionalism, competence and personal commitment to the engineering and technology sectors.

“I encourage all our members and beyond to adhere to our Knowledge Network and Rules of Conduct, which provide guidance and informational sources to support people to make good decisions and act ethically.

“I assure you that the IET is working with appropriate trade associations and trades unions to help bring about a step-change in the level of relevant training, upskilling and professionalism of those working in the industry.

“It will not be easy or quick, but we are determined to make a positive difference and, ultimately, to raise the status of engineers and technicians across the UK.”

The second part of this conference is taking place, again online, on 21 February, starting at 10am.