Who and what do you trust? - ICM core vision of a Construction Leadership Professional transcends traditional boundaries
NEWSLETTER ─ 02/2024
The Institute of Construction Management The Institute of Construction Management
The Voice of Construction Leadership Professionals

The Voice of  Construction Leadership Professionals

 

The UK Construction Sector is facing incredible challenges to transform culturally and deliver reliable service to our communities who need to place trust in the competence of the actors ... 

... in an era inundated with information overload and the proliferation of alternative facts, discerning truth from falsehood has become an increasingly daunting task. As professionals in the construction industry, where precision and accuracy are paramount, the pursuit of truth is not merely a philosophical endeavor but a practical necessity that underpins the success of our projects and the safety of all stakeholders involved ...

... but amidst the cacophony of voices vying for our attention, how do we distinguish fact from fiction? Who can we trust, and how can we be certain that the information we rely on is indeed reliable?

The answer lies in cultivating a discerning mindset grounded in critical thinking and informed judgment. As Construction Leadership Professionals, we are uniquely positioned to uphold the highest standards of integrity and credibility in our field. Here's how we can navigate the labyrinth of misinformation and uphold the truth:

  1. Embrace Collective Wisdom: Recognize that the pursuit of truth is a collective endeavor. By engaging with a diverse network of peers, experts, and stakeholders, we can harness collective wisdom to sift through information, challenge assumptions, and arrive at informed conclusions.

  2. Verify Sources: In an age where anyone can publish information online, the importance of verifying sources cannot be overstated. As Construction Leadership Professionals, we must scrutinize the credibility of sources, cross-reference information, and prioritize evidence-based insights over hearsay or unsubstantiated claims.

  3. Commit to Continuous Learning: Truth is not static but evolves with new evidence and insights. By committing to continuous learning and staying abreast of developments in our field, we empower ourselves to adapt to changing circumstances and refine our understanding of truth.

  4. Exercise Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is our most potent tool in the quest for truth. As Construction Leadership Professionals, we must hone our ability to analyze information objectively, question assumptions, and discern logical inconsistencies. By approaching information with a skeptical yet open-minded attitude, we can uncover hidden truths and challenge prevailing narratives.

  5. Seek Independent Verification: When in doubt, seek independent verification. Whether it's consulting trusted experts, conducting thorough research, or relying on reputable fact-checking organizations, independent verification serves as a safeguard against misinformation and ensures the reliability of our knowledge.

  6. Lead by Example: As leaders in the construction industry, we have a responsibility to lead by example and uphold the highest ethical standards. By modeling transparency, accountability, and a commitment to truth-seeking, we inspire trust and confidence among our peers, clients, and stakeholders.

... the pursuit of truth is not a passive endeavor but an active commitment that requires diligence, discernment, and a steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity. As Construction Leadership Professionals, we have a pivotal role to play in shaping the narrative of truth in our industry and beyond. Let us rise to the challenge and uphold the truth as a guiding beacon in our pursuit of excellence.

Join the ICM in championing truth and integrity as we build a better tomorrow for the construction industry and beyond. Together, we can navigate the complexities of our information landscape with clarity, confidence, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth.

 

Join the Movement - Embrace Inclusivity and Collaboration with ICM!

At The Institute of Construction Management, in our unique 182 years our ethos has always been centered around fostering collaboration and embracing an inclusive, non-silo policy across the construction sector ─ taking pride in urging greater cooperation, pooled efforts, and resource sharing to uplift the industry as a whole ─ we've remained consistent as a not-for-profit organization, now aligned with ethical banking that values community which allows us to keep annual membership subscriptions at the lowest end of affordability, acknowledging the challenging times we all face. Our focus remains unwavering - to proudly introduce and champion the pivotal role of Construction Leadership Professionals within the dynamic construction industry ...

... but, our construction sector isn't moving forward into 2024 too well is it good folks? ─ so, we extend an open invitation to those who share our vision of a united and collaborative construction community to join us and work with us in the challenges ahead ─ we are delighted to have rejoined the CIC [Construction Industry Council] at such a pivotal point in the history of our modern UK construction industry ...

... we want to hear from individuals and organizations eager to join hands and work towards common objectives where your input, insights, and expertise are so vital as we continue to shape the future of our unique member-led, grass-roots ICM body and its charitable initiatives ...

... existing Fellows and Members, we encourage you to bring your unique qualities to the forefront. Your involvement in the management and direction of ICM is crucial for ensuring that our collective efforts truly represent the diverse needs and perspectives within the industry.

ICM is part of the solution, not the problem ─ so, together, let's build a construction community that thrives on collaboration, inclusivity, and the very best of shared values ...

ICM and SYSMAX bringing digital innovation to the Construction Sector with the Competence Register Trilogy™ ─ a transformative collaboration that builds upon both brands’ rich legacy of promoting competence within, among others, the construction industry. Sysmax CEO Peter McAteer and David Jones, ICM Director, are both well known for their passion and leadership on competency, compliance and risk management ─ the new collaboration will build on the obvious synergies and conduct pilots during the 2024 phased roll-out

The Competence Register Trilogy™ addresses the BS Flex 8670 standards and sets criteria of competent individuals and their organisations in a one-stop-shop approach where building trust is so important ...

... the PAS 8671/2/3:2022 Registers will provide reliable evidence to commissioning clients [who also need to be competent to commission and appoint appropriate statutory dutyholders!] ...

... Designers, Principal Designers, Contractors, Principal Contractors are the statutory dutyholders who simply must be competent in performing and discharging their appointed duties ...

NOT YET A MEMBER? ... CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO JOIN ICM NOW
With the new Building Safety Act and Fire law imposing a paradigm culture shift in the sector, all actors need to understand Policy and Strategy
In the wake of the post-Grenfell vision of the true cultural shift that Dame Judith Hackitt recommended some years ago, the new Building Safety Act [BSA] was finally enacted in 2022 - unfortunately, without much of the essential secondary regulatory law that created much second-guessing in the industry!  Shortly, we have associated Fire Safety law enacted.  The 2023 releases of much of the secondary legislation - and, the threatening prospect of criminal prosecution with possible custodial penalties has drastically accelerated the slow rate of cultural change. 
 
Now, recently late in 2023 new law was enacted by government to culturally change Building Control too ... the Building Regulations are enforced by Local Authority Building Control [LABC] - much of the text of CDM 2015 is repeated in the Building Regulations 2010 - so, we now have a cohesive roadmap coming together in 2024 although there is an expressed crisis looming with the April 2024 deadline for Building Control Inspectors [BCI] to get registered competent or have to cease delivering functional service!
 
We will deal and address LABC issues in the next Newsletter ─ here we are explaining the differences of a safety policy and a safety strategy in terms of the construction and built environment sectors with emphasis upon the enactment of the BSA and the competency required by the statutory dutyholders ... in all the plethora of voices many are using certain terminology incorrectly and inaccurately ─ in the huge implications for incompetent understanding leading to wild guessing, we need to ensure accuracy of the knowledge ...
 
In the construction and built environment sectors, a safety policy and a safety strategy play distinct roles in ensuring workplace safety.

Safety Policy:

  • Definition: A safety policy is a foundational document that outlines a company's commitment to safety, setting the tone for safety practices within the organization.
  • Key Elements:
    • Compliance with laws and regulations.
    • Regular hazard assessments and risk mitigation measures.
    • Continuous safety training for the workforce.
    • Encouragement of open communication regarding safety concerns

Safety Strategy:

  • Definition: A safety strategy is a comprehensive plan that aims to mitigate risks and protect individuals in the workplace by addressing specific hazards and outlining procedures for emergencies.
  • Key Components:
    • Hazard assessments tailored to the project.
    • Reporting protocols for incidents and unsafe conditions.
    • Ongoing safety training programs.
    • Emergency response plans.
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements

Differences:

  • Safety Policy:
    • Sets the overarching commitment to safety within the organization.
    • Focuses on compliance, hazard assessments, training, and communication.
  • Safety Strategy:
    • Operationalizes safety measures through specific plans and protocols.
    • Addresses site-specific hazards, emergency responses, and PPE requirements.

Statutory Dutyholders Competency:

  • Statutory dutyholders in construction are legally responsible for health and safety. Competency requirements may include knowledge, experience, training, and skills necessary to fulfill their duties effectively
     
It is vitally important to understand, while a safety policy establishes a company's commitment to safety, a safety strategy operationalizes this commitment by addressing specific risks and emergency procedures in the construction sector. Statutory dutyholders must possess the necessary competency to ensure workplace safety effectively.

 

MARKET NEEDS SURVEY

Thank you for taking your time to open and read this newsletter and, for those of you who came to our latest conference event at Wembley or any of the earlier events ─ the ICM team and our event partner Resibuild Events certainly wish to bring to the industry the best possible experience ─ and, to help our team, it would be most helpful if you would kindly provide some feedback.  Your responses will help us plan and deliver future events ...

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR SURVEY RESPONSE

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