The health and safety landscape is poised for significant transformation in 2025, with a series of critical regulatory updates on the horizon. Staying informed and proactive about these incoming changes isn't just recommended—it's essential for organisational compliance and workplace protection.
The removal of unsafe cladding
Seven years on from the Grenfell tragedy, where 72 lives were tragically lost, thousands of residents are still living in buildings wrapped in unsafe cladding. However, it was announced at the end of 2024, that the government have set the target for the removal of all unsafe cladding from buildings in the UK by 2029.
The Remediation Acceleration Plan aims to identify and, fix unsafe buildings faster, implement penalties for those who do not reach the target dates, as well as support residents to ensure that they don’t end up with crippling bills as a result.
Building Safety Act 2022 continued adaptation
The Building Safety Act 2022 (The Act) creates clear frameworks for how residential buildings should be built and looked after to keep residents safe. Despite there being changes to The Act in 2024, this year will see continued adjustments to the obligations for landlords, including:
1. Complying with revised fire safety requirements and Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) duties.
2. Preparing comprehensive building safety case reports
3. Enhancing tenant communication and reporting processes
Procurement Act 2023 commencing February 2025
The Procurement Act 2023, set to take effect in February 2025, after being delayed, marks a significant shift in the way public contracts are awarded and managed, with important implications for health and safety compliance.
Under the new regulations, contracting authorities will need to ensure that health and safety considerations are integrated into every stage of the procurement process, from planning and tendering to contract management. This act places a greater emphasis on transparency, accountability, and value for money, which means suppliers and contractors will need to demonstrate robust health and safety practices to meet compliance requirements. It will also offer new training and support systems.
For companies conducting health and safety assessments, this change highlights the growing importance of proactive risk management and compliance monitoring in the procurement process. As organisations prepare for the new rules, ensuring suppliers and contractors adhere to health and safety standards will become a key priority to mitigate risks and achieve regulatory compliance in 2025 and beyond.
Decent Homes Standard Review
The Decent Homes Standard Review was created over 20 years ago to ensure homes are fit to live in. The government relaunched its review in 2023, including a range of changes that included:
1. An updated list of items which must be kept in a reasonable state of repair for a home to be considered ‘decent’
2. Extended the standard to cover the private sector so that all housing types are kept at the same level.
To make sure that the standard is being implemented across all houses, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) will be a critical tool in assessing the dangers within homes.
With these evolving regulations both landlords and residents must remain vigilant of new legislation so they can adapt to the new requirements quickly and efficiently. It is important to reach out to professionals for help to make sure you are complying with the new safety standards.
