Construction Safety Culture ‘Not Evolving Fast Enough’ Seven Years After Grenfell, Warns ISSG

Seven years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the construction industry’s approach to safety is still too focused on box-ticking rather than genuine cultural change, according to a new report from the Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG). Released on 7 July 2026, the report warns that many firms continue with “business as usual” despite the requirements of the Building Safety Act, leading to high rejection rates at key regulatory stages such as Gateways 2 and 3. The ISSG has called for tougher government intervention, including increased sanctions and a crackdown on non-compliant companies.

Financial Incentives and Tougher Sanctions Urged

The ISSG report recommends that financial institutions — including banks and investors — introduce incentives to reward companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to safety culture reform. The group argues that without stronger external pressure, too many firms will continue to treat safety as a compliance exercise rather than embedding it into everyday operations.

The Grenfell tragedy showed the devastating cost of fire safety failures. Many UK firms still face gaps in their fire risk documentation and training – a vulnerability that can lead to fines or worse. A free Fire Safety Toolkit offers ready-to-use risk assessments, evacuation plans, and staff training materials aligned with current regulations. Download the free Fire Safety Toolkit

Fatalities Fall but Construction Remains Deadliest Sector

New figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the 2025/26 period show a total of 126 worker fatalities across Great Britain. While construction deaths fell to a record low of 25 — down sharply from 60 the previous year — the sector remains the deadliest for workers. Falls from height were the leading cause of death across all industries, accounting for 31 fatalities.

The data also reveals that workers aged 60 and older are overrepresented in fatal accident statistics. Beyond immediate worker deaths, the industry remains linked to 104 non-worker fatalities and a continuing legacy of health issues related to asbestos exposure. Experts from organisations including CHAS have stressed that the industry must move beyond basic compliance toward stronger planning and competency standards.

Workforce Crisis Looms as 41% of Workers Near Retirement

The industry is also facing a deepening workforce challenge. Findings from the NAWIC Construction Congress in May 2026 suggest that 41% of the US construction workforce is projected to retire by 2031 — a trend that UK leaders say mirrors domestic pressures. Industry figures have described this as both a leadership and culture challenge, calling for executive ownership and closer collaboration between education providers and employers.

Procurement practices are shifting in response. A trends report published on 6 July 2026 found that 63% of contractors expect increased vetting of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The same report noted that 75% of firms now use artificial intelligence in procurement processes.

Global Developments in Safety and Regulation

Several regions have introduced new safety measures and technological updates:

• British Columbia, Canada: On 6 July 2026, the provincial government announced the expansion of skilled trades certification to include mobile and tower crane operators. Following a major crane collapse in 2021 that killed five people, existing operators have until 5 July 2027 to register or complete their examinations.
• Fraud protection: The ECITB ACE industry scheme is upgrading its standards. From 20 July 2026, new cards will feature NFC chips for faster on-site verification. A digital version and a new online application system are expected to launch in September 2026.
• South Korea: The Ministry of Employment and Labor held a conference on 7 July 2026 to share best practices in workplace risk assessment. The ministry highlighted that Samyang Foods has implemented nearly 300 safety improvements since 2023.
• Hazard awareness: In Toronto, the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association released new guidance on 6 July 2026 on adequate lighting at construction sites to reduce the risk of slips, trips, falls and eye strain.

UK Construction Downtime Persists Despite Safety Gains

Despite the drop in UK fatalities and these regional advancements, analysts from Glenigan report that the broader UK construction sector remains in a downturn. Residential starts fell 31% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, with a full market recovery not expected until 2027.

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