CROSS reaches 20-year milestone in UK built environment safety

The Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety (CROSS) scheme is marking 20 years since its foundation in the United Kingdom, according to a statement published by CROSS UK.

Founded in 2005, CROSS was established as a confidential safety reporting scheme for professionals across the structural and fire safety sectors.

According to Dr Alastair Soane, Founding Member and former Director of CROSS, the scheme was modelled on safety initiatives in the aviation sector and aimed to allow open reporting without fear of reprisal.

The organisation said it has received more than 1,000 reports and alerts over the past two decades and has influenced both industry policy and safety culture in the UK and internationally.

The milestone has been highlighted in CROSS UK Newsletter 77, which reflects on the development and continued relevance of the scheme.

Origins in structural safety and independent reporting

According to CROSS UK, the origins of the scheme can be traced back to the formation of SCOSS, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety, in 1976.

SCOSS was set up following structural failures including the Ronan Point collapse and box girder bridge incidents, which exposed issues in structural risk management.

CROSS UK explained that SCOSS’s aim was to enable an independent reporting process that could function without fear of blame or punitive consequences.

This goal materialised with the formal launch of CROSS in 2005, supported by the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Dr Alastair Soane said: “From day one, CROSS has had strong backing from its parent professional bodies: the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineers.

“Along with our overseas partners, the American Society of Civil Engineers and Engineers Australia, these organisations have helped fund, support, and promote the scheme.”

CROSS has since grown from a structural safety initiative to a broader reporting platform for the built environment.

Expanded remit following post-Grenfell recommendations

In 2019, CROSS expanded its remit to include fire safety reporting following the recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s post-Grenfell review of building regulations and fire safety.

The organisation stated that this expansion was backed by the Institution of Fire Engineers, allowing for reports concerning fire safety risks to be received, reviewed, and shared.

CROSS said the scheme now facilitates reporting across both structural and fire disciplines and includes a dedicated fire expert panel.

Dr Soane noted: “Since then, we have also been supported by the Institution of Fire Engineers and many reports on fire safety have been received, analysed, and widely read.”

The inclusion of fire safety aimed to address the sector’s need for a comparable independent platform for raising issues and sharing knowledge.

According to CROSS UK, this has helped reinforce the scheme’s role in supporting safer construction and operational practices.

Recognition of contributors and international reach

CROSS UK acknowledged the contributions of individuals and teams who have supported the organisation since its foundation.

Dr Soane credited former SCOSS Secretary John Carpenter for helping to initiate the scheme and named key past chairs including Faith Wainwright, Gordon Masterton, and Bill Hewlett for their leadership.

The newsletter also recognised the contributions of international advocates, including Mike Fordyce in Australasia and Glenn Bell in the United States.

Operational support has come from managers Paul McNulty and Paul Livesey, alongside staff and consultants who manage the processing of reports and publication of safety guidance.

Dr Soane said: “All our Expert Panel members are volunteers, and their service is deeply appreciated and deserves special recognition.

“It is their input that makes CROSS Newsletters such as this one, an essential read for many in the industry, academia, and government.”

The scheme credited these panels with ensuring high-quality feedback and the practical relevance of CROSS reports.

Use of CROSS reports in policy, standards, and safety practice

CROSS stated that its reports have been cited in multiple official inquiries and have contributed to policy development and regulatory standards.

Examples of topics flagged by CROSS include concerns over Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), fires in multi-storey car parks, and risks linked to balcony design.

According to the organisation, its safety bulletins have supported both industry awareness and practical action across sectors.

The CROSS website currently includes over 1,000 reports addressing a range of issues relevant to engineers, building professionals, regulators, and fire safety practitioners.

Dr Soane said: “Over the past 20 years, CROSS has raised the alarm on many issues.

“Notably, we issued early warnings and Alerts on potential issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, multi-storey car park fires, safety concerns connected to balconies, and many others.”

CROSS added that these outputs reflect its commitment to knowledge sharing and proactive risk mitigation.

CROSS UK marks 20 years of confidential safety reporting: Summary

CROSS UK has published a newsletter marking the 20th anniversary of the CROSS reporting scheme.

The scheme was founded in 2005 as a confidential platform for reporting structural safety concerns.

It was modelled on anonymous reporting systems used in aviation.

The organisation said it now includes reporting on fire safety, following a 2019 expansion prompted by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry review.

CROSS is backed by the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers, and the Institution of Fire Engineers.

The organisation has received over 1,000 reports and alerts since its inception.

These reports have been used in policy development, industry guidance, and public inquiries.

Volunteer expert panels review and comment on reports for public release.

CROSS said it has flagged issues including RAAC, balcony safety, and car park fires.

The scheme has international partnerships with the American Society of Civil Engineers and Engineers Australia.

CROSS UK credited its success to the efforts of contributors, panel members, and anonymous reporters.