The Building Safety Act has reshaped how construction and maintenance work is carried out across the UK, and tradespeople sit right at the centre of it. While the legislation can feel dense at first glance, the day‑to‑day impact is surprisingly practical. It defines new responsibilities, sets clearer expectations, and gives you a bigger role in creating safer buildings for the people who use them.
This article breaks the Act down into plain language, highlights the bits that matter most for trades, and explains why your responsibilities as a duty holder cannot be shrugged off.
What the Building Safety Act sets out to achieve
The Act tightens up how building safety risks are managed, particularly for higher‑risk buildings such as high‑rise residential blocks. One of its main aims is to make sure everyone involved in design, construction, repairs, and ongoing maintenance knows exactly what they’re responsible for. The days of ambiguous lines of responsibility are being pushed aside, replaced by clear roles and duties.
Tradespeople are now recognised as essential contributors to building safety rather than simply hands‑on workers. This shift puts you in a stronger, more accountable position.
Who the Act defines as duty holders
The legislation introduces a structured line‑up of duty holders. Each one is expected to manage safety risks, share accurate information, and work collaboratively to maintain a safe environment. These roles include:
- Clients
- Principal designers
- Principal contractors
- Contractors and designers
- Persons responsible for occupied buildings, such as the accountable person and principal accountable person
The new duty holder appointments must be made whenever a project involves more than one contractor and falls within the scope of the Building Regulations.
If you’re a tradesperson working under a principal contractor, acting as a sole contractor, or contributing specialist design input, you’re highly likely to be a duty holder in some form.
What duty holders are expected to do
Across the different duty holder roles, the expectations stay consistent. You are required to:
- Manage building safety risks by keeping an eye on hazards linked to your work and taking steps to reduce them.
- Cooperate with other duty holders, sharing information clearly and promptly so no stage of work is carried out in the dark.
- Ensure competence, both personally and across anyone you employ or supervise. This includes staying up to date with guidance, training, and safe working methods.
- Follow new regulatory requirements, particularly around documentation and compliance checks. The Act outlines expanded duties for clients, principal contractors, and principal designers, but the responsibility filters through to everyone carrying out the work.
- Provide accurate, accessible information for the building’s ongoing safety file, so future workers and building managers are not left guessing.
These expectations stay in place throughout the entire project, from planning to handover.
Why tradespeople carry such a strong responsibility
Even though clients, principal designers, and principal contractors hold headline accountability, the practical safety of a building rests heavily on the tradespeople who physically shape it. Your decisions, your workmanship, and the way you manage risk on site directly influence whether a building is safe to live or work in.
A few reasons why your role matters so much:
1. You are closest to the work
Nobody sees the real‑world challenges, shortcuts, or hidden flaws in a project better than the trades actually installing, cutting, repairing, fixing, or testing. When the Act talks about managing risks, it recognises that those who physically do the job are often best placed to identify what could go wrong.
2. Competence is now a legal expectation
Competency requirements apply to anyone carrying out design or building work. Being “good at the trade” is no longer enough on its own. You must also be capable of understanding the safety implications of your work and acting in ways that reduce risks.
3. Poor compliance can trigger serious consequences
The Act strengthens enforcement powers. That means penalties for non‑compliance are more likely and more serious. The law places responsibility on individuals as well as organisations, so it protects you far better if you can show you’ve met your duty holder responsibilities every step of the way.
4. Reputation and client trust are at stake
Tradespeople who understand the Act stand out. Clients, contractors, and housing associations increasingly want to work with firms and individuals who treat compliance as a core part of their service. Being a reliable duty holder builds trust and wins work.
As the regulator introduces reforms such as faster review routes for certain applications, the industry is shifting into a more transparent and structured way of working. [herrington…ichael.com]
This can feel like it brings extra admin at times, but it also protects your livelihood. By showing you’ve acted responsibly and professionally, you reduce the risk of blame landing unfairly on your doorstep.
A final thought
Anyone turning up on site with tools in hand now plays a visible role in safeguarding the people who will one day live, work, or sleep in that building. Your knowledge, your decisions, and your attention to detail directly influence whether a building stands up to the expectations set by the Building Safety Act.
Responsibility might feel like a heavy word, yet it also brings recognition. The Act acknowledges the expertise tradespeople bring and gives your work the central importance it deserves.
At Howden, we’re here to support you whatever business you’re in, while you focus on what you do best; getting the job done.
Sources: Herrington Carmichael, Clarion, Construction Briefing, GOV.UK, RLB, BESA
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This is a marketing blog by Howden.