The first step in creating a safety case report is to compile your digital safety case information. However, once you have done this, it presents you with an opportunity to both validate that you have everything you need and review the documents to ensure every action has been taken, is underway, or has been scheduled.
Part 4 Section 83 of the Building Safety Act 2022 states that “An accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time assess the building safety risks as regards the part of the building for which they are responsible.” This is specifically in relation to the safety case report. It is after this that “further such assessments must be made at regular intervals.”
It is therefore important to ensure that all safety case information is both complete for each part of the building and compliant with the various legislations. This is no small task and should not be underestimated.
Unfortunately, it is highly likely that some documentation will be missing. For instance, a resident engagement strategy has not commonly been required to be documented in the past, although many managing agents do routinely engage their residents for feedback. Documenting the way in which this happens, how often, and what methods are used is not typical. The same can be said for many other types of surveys, strategies, and plans, all of which will now be required to be refreshed, compliant, and digitally available to complete a safety case report.
And even the most diligent building manager, with the very best safety management system, will almost certainly still have several pieces of remediation outstanding for all types of reasons. All of these activities will now need to have a timeline for completion documented, or an explanation as to why they have not.
Safety case analysis is a key step in the SCR process.