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Those who work on high-risk buildings should follow the golden thread of information, but what is the golden thread?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the golden thread is “the information that allows you to understand a building and the steps needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future.”
The golden thread is a process and an approach to information management and documentation. This information is stored to reassure individuals about the safety of a building.
Let’s delve into the golden thread in more detail.
The golden thread is required through a high-risk building’s life-cycle; this includes:
Applying this requirement at the design stage ensures safety from the very start of the project. It allows enough time to find potential risks and make sure the building meets all design requirements.
Construction is one of the most high-risk sectors, and the golden thread plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and compliance.
It makes sure to meet safety regulations and standards during the construction phase. The golden thread should record any changes in the building process, along with any new risks that arise.
Once the project is complete, the golden thread of information documents any safety measures and other golden information to make sure the building is ready for occupancy.
This information is to be shared with the building owner or operator so they can ensure safety and compliance throughout the rest of the building’s life span. The golden thread serves as proof that the building is now safe to occupy.
The Principal Accountable Person (PAP) and other Accountable Persons should carry out the golden thread as part of their duties in managing and operating the building.
This should be done during maintenance, refurbishment, or additional construction work on the building.
Under the Building Safety Act, the Principal Accountable Person of a building needs to register the building with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before it is occupied.
It is not just a singular person’s duty to implement the golden thread of information. It involves many people across the scope of a project.
Some of those responsible for implementing this include:
It’s important to record adequate details throughout construction and during occupation to best inform the ongoing safe management of high-rise buildings.
It is the responsibility of the individual to decide what information is deemed ‘golden.’ However, the Building a Safer Future report provides a non-exhaustive example of essential records, including:
By keeping accurate and up-to-date records, duty holders can manage buildings safely over their lifespan. Additionally, regulators have the authority to request this information as needed to verify compliance and uphold safety standards.
In addition to the list above, it is good to note factors such as decisions that have been made, individuals involved, time scales, if there are any new risks and how they are being eliminated or managed.
With this in mind, there is an increasing demand to upskill across the sector, as duty holders must now become proficient in data management.
To support this, we offer our Building Safety Act eLearning, which provides a route to understanding the principles of the golden thread and helps individuals understand the duties of everyone involved.
Managing the golden thread requires a deep understanding of the information being recorded, its relevance, and its critical role in maintaining building safety.
Since the golden thread of information is an important part of the Building Safety Act 2022, there are some key factors that need to be considered.
The Building a Safer Future Report by Dame Judith Hackitt states that the golden thread should be digital, secure and accessible.
“The purpose of the digital record is to ensure that accurate building information is securely created, updated and accessible, at points throughout the building life cycle. This will support efficient and effective oversight by the JCA.”
It is important to protect the golden thread of information against loss or unauthorised changes.
Information should be continuously updated throughout the project’s life span to reflect any amendments. Modifications to the project may bring new hazards, which must be considered when altering the original design.
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date information makes sure that high-rise buildings have a reliable historical record of events. This also establishes clear accountability for decisions and changes made throughout the project.
The golden thread of information promotes building safety as it highlights potential risks that can occur so they can be effectively managed.
From past failures, such as the Grenfell Tower fire, we have learned that maintaining clear, accessible records and consistently following safety protocols are crucial in preventing future tragedies.
The golden thread contains all essential information about a high-rise building, allowing for quick access when stored properly.
This is ideal for inspections, building managers, and even emergency services in case of an incident. Therefore streamlining decision-making and facilitating future planning.
It is a legal obligation for duty holders to maintain a golden thread of information throughout a higher-risk building’s life cycle.
Regulatory bodies have the authority to request the golden thread of information on a project to assess compliance and safety standards.
Non-compliance with the Building Safety Act and failure to maintain accurate information can result in fines, penalties, and potential legal action, as well as increased risks to the safety of building occupants
Overall, the golden thread creates a chronological footprint of events. It must be clear and concise so third parties can easily understand it.
All responsible parties must know how to maintain the golden thread of information correctly, which is why duty holders now need to upskill.
By having the golden thread rule to refer to, we can create safer structures and make better decisions throughout a building’s lifecycle.
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