The Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 has fundamentally changed construction compliance in the UK. For every client, principal contractor, and subcontractor, the stakes are higher than ever. Stricter accountability, robust reporting requirements, and clearer duty holder roles mean that organisations failing to meet their obligations risk serious legal penalties, reputational damage, and costly project delays.
Yet, despite extensive guidance, many construction companies and public sector organisations continue to encounter hidden compliance gaps. These gaps often arise not from negligence but from uncertainty or misunderstanding of complex requirements under building safety regulations.
This guide highlights five of the most overlooked compliance risks under the Building Safety Act, explains why they matter, and outlines practical steps to help you safeguard your projects.
For a detailed compliance checklist and step-by-step guidance, download the full Veriforce CHAS Building Safety Act Guide.
Understanding The Building Safety Act And BSA Regulations
The BSA was introduced following the Grenfell Tower tragedy to improve the safety of buildings in England, particularly higher-risk residential buildings. The Act establishes a framework where duty holders (clients, principal engineers, principal contractors, and subcontractors) are clearly responsible for safety outcomes throughout a building’s lifecycle.
Key highlights of the BSA regulations include:
- A clear emphasis on accountability for hiring clients to ensure contractor competence.
- Mandatory creation and maintenance of a “Golden Thread” of building information, a secure, traceable digital record of all work and safety checks across a project’s lifecycle.
- Improved responsibilities for higher-risk buildings (HRBs), typically defined as residential buildings over 18 meters in height or with more than seven storeys.
While these requirements are essential for safety, many organisations struggle with the practicalities of compliance, particularly when coordinating multiple contractors and verifying ongoing competence.
Related Reading: What Are The Key Updates To The Building Safety Act?
Top 5 Hidden Compliance Risks To Watch Out For
Even experienced clients and contractors can miss critical compliance gaps under the Building Safety Act. The following five risks are often overlooked but can have serious legal, financial, and reputational consequences if not addressed.
1. Overlooking Contractor Competence Verification
One of the most common compliance risks under the BSA is failing to properly verify the competence of every contractor you hire. Simply assuming a contractor is competent because of reputation or previous work history is insufficient under building regulation requirements.
Why It Matters:
- Incomplete competence checks can lead to unsafe work practices, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Legally, clients may be held accountable for the actions of contractors and subcontractors on their sites.
Best Practice Tip:
Implement a robust pre-qualification process for all contractors. Tools like the Common Assessment Standard, adopted by Veriforce CHAS, provide a standardised way to consistently verify health, safety, and building safety competence.
2. Failing To Maintain The Golden Thread
The Golden Thread refers to a continuous, traceable digital record of a building’s lifecycle, including design, construction, modifications, and safety checks. Maintaining this information is a legal requirement under the BSA.
Hidden Risks Include:
- Losing vital safety documentation during handovers or contractor transitions.
- Incomplete records that fail to demonstrate compliance during inspections.
Mitigation Strategy:
Use secure digital platforms to store and manage building information. Regular audits and verification, particularly of contractor-supplied data, help maintain the integrity of the Golden Thread. Veriforce CHAS supports clients in curating this information and ensuring ongoing compliance.
3. Misunderstanding Higher-Risk Building Obligations
Higher-risk buildings (HRBs) carry additional responsibilities under building safety regulations. This includes stricter contractor oversight, additional reporting, and mandatory safety gateways throughout construction.
Common Pitfalls:
- Misclassifying a building’s risk category and applying standard procedures instead of HRB-specific protocols.
- Overlooking the need for improved contractor training or competence checks for HRB projects.
Practical Advice:
Ensure your project management team fully understands the definition of HRBs and the associated compliance obligations. A dedicated compliance partner like Veriforce CHAS can help implement these processes efficiently and consistently.
Free Contractors Compliance Checklist
This useful health and safety tool is a quick and easy way to help ensure all contractors arriving on-site have their compliance status checked.
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4. Gaps In Health And Safety Procedure Integration
Even if contractors and subcontractors are individually competent, gaps can emerge if health and safety procedures are not integrated across all teams. Fragmented systems, missing documentation, or inconsistent safety practices can expose your organisation to fines and legal action.
Key Considerations:
- Coordination across multiple contractors and subcontractors.
- Consistency in risk assessments, method statements, and reporting procedures.
- Ensuring all teams are aware of their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.
Solution:
Centralise your compliance procedures with a platform that provides auditable records, like Veriforce CHAS. This helps standardise safety practices, ensures visibility, and reduces the risk of overlooked procedures.
Related Reading: Risk Assessment Vs Method Statement: What Are The Key Differences?
5. Incomplete Or Inaccurate Reporting
The BSA requires hiring clients to maintain accurate records of every contractor’s compliance and competence. However, many organisations underestimate the scale of this reporting obligation.
Risks Of Inadequate Reporting:
- Legal exposure for failing to demonstrate compliance.
- Increased scrutiny from regulators, leading to inspections and operational disruptions.
- Missed opportunities to proactively address risks before they escalate.
Recommendation:
Implement a structured reporting process, with regular updates, audits, and checks to ensure data accuracy. Digital tools can automate much of this process, helping your organisation maintain full accountability with minimal administrative burden.
How To Close Compliance Gaps
Addressing these hidden risks requires a combination of planning, verification, and ongoing monitoring. Here are some actionable steps:
- Standardise Contractor Onboarding: Use a pre-qualification questionnaire and competency checks to ensure all contractors meet legal and safety standards.
- Digitise Documentation: Maintain all building information, risk assessments, and method statements digitally for easy access and auditability.
- Monitor Compliance Continuously: Verify contractor competence, training, and certification annually or at key project milestones.
- Centralise Health and Safety Procedures: Ensure all teams, contractors, and subcontractors follow consistent risk management processes.
- Engage an Expert Partner: Veriforce CHAS offers tools, audits, and guidance to help organisations implement these steps efficiently and confidently.
By taking these actions, organisations can reduce the risk of legal penalties, reputational damage, and costly delays while ensuring the safety of all workers and residents.
Related Reading: What Are The 5 Steps To Risk Assessment?
Why Choose Veriforce CHAS?
Veriforce CHAS has over 30 years of experience helping clients comply with building safety regulations. Our platform and services:
- Provide verified, auditable records of contractor competence and compliance.
- Simplify contractor selection and onboarding processes.
- Ensure alignment with the Building Safety Act, CDM regulations, and the Common Assessment Standard.
- Offer ongoing support for managing supply chain compliance efficiently.
With Veriforce CHAS, clients can confidently demonstrate compliance, maintain safer worksites, and protect their organisation’s reputation.
Download The Full Building Safety Act Guide
The five risks outlined above are just the beginning. To fully safeguard your projects, download the complete guide for:
- A detailed compliance checklist.
- Step-by-step procedures for verifying contractor competence.
- Practical strategies to manage risk across your supply chain.
Download the Veriforce CHAS Building Safety Act Guide here.
Take control of compliance today and ensure your projects meet every requirement of the Building Safety Act.
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Updated 7th November 2025
