New report details progress and challenges in construction industry culture change

The Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG) published its fourth report for the Secretary of State and the Minister for Building Safety on 1 March 2024, offering an insight into the cultural shifts within the built environment industry from October 2021 to July 2023.

This comprehensive document outlines the ongoing efforts and identifies areas contributing to a positive change in industry standards but clarifies that it does not encompass all aspects of the transformation.

Organisations demonstrate good practice through case studies

The report showcases several organisations that exemplify good practice, encouraging them to share their successes and learning with the wider industry.

The aim is to elevate standards across the board by promoting these examples of excellence.

“We actively encourage these organisations to find routes to share their learning and best practice with the rest of the industry, including through the media, in the interest of raising standards across the sector,” the report stated.

It further suggests that recognition for adhering to best practices should be independently assessed to foster greater trust from the public and industry collaborators.

Incentives for adoption of best practices

Despite the positive steps highlighted, the report acknowledges a gap in the widespread adoption of these practices across the industry.

It calls for a revaluation of incentives to motivate wider industry engagement with the proven strategies of industry leaders.

“We have yet to see this happening to the extent that it needs to, and there is a need to consider what stimuli can be given to encourage others to follow the examples of real leadership within the industry,” the report stated, pointing out the necessity for a strategic approach to encourage the embracement of innovative practices.

Government and regulators’ role in supporting culture change

The document also covers the significant role that government and regulatory bodies play in supporting this cultural evolution.

It outlines the ISSG’s approval of the efforts by these entities and presents an evaluation of key industry players based on several critical themes: leadership, collaboration, competence, transparency, and responsibility.

These themes serve as a foundation for assessing the industry’s progress towards a safer and more responsible building environment.

IFSJ Comment

The publication of the Industry Safety Steering Group’s fourth report underscores the importance of sharing best practices and the need for a collective effort towards improvement.

By focusing on leadership, collaboration, competence, transparency, and responsibility, the report provides a roadmap for building a safer, more trustworthy industry.

The call for incentives to foster wider adoption of these practices is a critical step towards ensuring that excellence in safety becomes a universal standard, rather than an exceptional feat.

As the industry continues to navigate these challenges, the insights from this report offer valuable guidance for fostering a culture of safety and responsibility that can ultimately benefit society as a whole.