Site health and safety issues

Building Control is responsible for assessing compliance with the building regulations. These relate to the design and construction of buildings, for example structural safety, fire safety, accessibility and energy efficiency.

Building Control is not responsible for day‑to‑day health and safety on construction sites. 

Responsibility for construction site safety

Health and safety on construction sites, including matters such as scaffolding safety, falling object risks, protective netting, site hoarding, and the protection of the public, is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under health and safety legislation.

This applies regardless of whether building control services for a development are provided by the local authority or by a private registered building control approver. 

How to report a concern

If you are concerned that a construction site may be unsafe or presents a risk to workers or members of the public, you should report this directly to HSE. 

You can report a health and safety concern online using the HSE’s reporting form.

Reports made through this service are assessed by the HSE and prioritised according to risk. 

When to contact Building Control

Building Control should be contacted only for matters relating specifically to compliance with the building regulations.

The only exception is where there is an immediate concern that a structure is dangerous or at risk of collapse. You should report these to us as a dangerous structure.