How to document competency under the Building Safety Act 2022

To comply with the Building Safety Act 2022, you must create a formal "Competence Record" that proves you and your team possess the specific Skills, Knowledge, Experience, and Behaviours (SKEB) required for your roles. This isn't just a "nice-to-have" document; it is a legal duty to ensure that anyone carrying out design or renovation work is competent to do so, ensuring the safety of the building and its occupants.

Understanding the "SKEB" Framework

The Building Safety Act focuses on four key pillars of competency. When documenting your business's ability to take on a project, you need to evidence each of these:

• Skills: The practical, "hands-on" ability to perform tasks. This is often evidenced through trade tests or successful project completion.
• Knowledge: The theoretical understanding of building regulations, materials, and safety standards.
• Experience: A proven track record of performing similar work in the past. This demonstrates that you have encountered and solved real-world site challenges.
• Behaviours: This is a newer focus for the industry. It refers to professional ethics, the willingness to "speak up" if something is unsafe, and a commitment to maintaining standards rather than cutting corners.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Competency Record

1. Identify Your Legal Roles

Under the Act, you must be clear about which "dutyholder" role you are fulfilling. Are you acting as the Principal Contractor (managing the whole site) or a Contractor (carrying out specific works)? Your competency record should reflect the specific responsibilities of these roles as defined in the building regulations.

2. Map Out a Competency Matrix

The most effective way to document this is through a table or matrix. For every individual in your business (including yourself), list their qualifications and how they align with the work you plan to undertake.

Requirement	Evidence Type	Example Documentation
Qualifications	Knowledge & Skill	NVQs, City & Guilds, Degree certificates.
Training	Knowledge	Asbestos awareness, Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS).
Past Projects	Experience	A portfolio of case studies with references from previous clients.
Professionalism	Behaviours	Membership in trade bodies (e.g., FMB, CIOB) and signed Codes of Conduct.

3. Gather the "Receipts"

A list of skills is not enough; you need evidence. Store digital copies of the following in a dedicated "Competency Folder":

• Up-to-date CVs for all key staff.
• CSCS cards (showing the correct level for their role).
• Certificates for specific technical training (e.g., working at height, fire safety).
• Records of "Continuing Professional Development" (CPD)—this shows you are keeping up with changing laws.

4. Documenting Behaviours

Proving "behaviour" can feel abstract. To document this, include your company's internal policies on safety reporting and ethical conduct. You can also record instances where you have actively chosen a safer (though perhaps more expensive) method of construction, as this demonstrates the correct professional behaviour required by the Act.

Best Practices for Small Businesses

"Competence is not a one-time achievement; it is a continuous process. As the law evolves, so must your skills."

• Don't exaggerate: The Building Safety Act carries significant penalties for those who claim competency they don't have. If a project is outside your "SKEB" range, be honest and seek a partner or specialist.
• Keep it live: Review your competency records at least once a year. If a staff member completes a new course, add it immediately.
• The "Golden Thread": While this task is about your people, remember that your competency documentation is a key part of the "Golden Thread" of information required for higher-risk buildings. It proves that the people who built the building were qualified to do so.

Why This Matters for Your Launch

When you tender for work or apply for building control approval, you may be asked to prove your competency. Having a professional, pre-prepared Competency Record ready to hand over shows clients and regulators that you are a serious, professional contractor who takes the new safety laws seriously. It builds immediate trust and protects your business from the legal risks of non-compliance.