SOCOTEC Building Control recognised that it faced several key health and safety challenges across its business due to several inconsistencies
The challenges
Directors lacked clarity on their personal responsibilities under health and safety legislation, often assuming responsibility fell solely to the health and safety team.
There were inconsistent accident-reporting practices across the organisation, with staff unsure of where and how to report incidents.
The transition from paper-based to digital systems (Eco Online) had not been fully understood or adopted by all personnel, and there was limited awareness of the importance of documenting minor incidents that could escalate into more serious injuries or accidents.
Ultimately, there was no formal safety committee structure within SOCOTEC Building Control to drive continuous improvement.
Training courses reveal the best plan of action
SOCOTEC has delivered its Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) Safety for Executive Directors (IOSH SED) training courses for 20 years, in response to the need for enhanced health and safety competence at senior management level.
SOCOTEC Building Control directors, Tracy Robinson and Adam Radmall, completed the course in June and December 2025, respectively.
The one-day interactive classroom-based course covered director-level health and safety responsibilities, risk management, management systems, audits, accident investigation, safety culture and legal compliance. The training was delivered in small groups to maximise engagement and included participants from both internal SOCOTEC teams and external organisations.
It was decided that the course structure would include interactive delivery, with case studies and group discussions to increase participation, as well as the presentation of practical scenarios relevant to the construction and related industries. Individual action pledges would be developed and implemented across the business, along with a broader focus on accountability and legal responsibilities for participants.
A new solution to prevalent health and safety issues
The IOSH SED training delivered immediate practical insights and prompted several corrective actions for SOCOTEC Building Control upon completion of the course.
Shortly after the training, there was an incident at a domestic site, and the regional manager correctly documented it in the accident book. Although the initial appearance was minor, the individual’s leg subsequently swelled, requiring hospital attendance, making the subsequent documentation trail essential.
Tracy, one of the course’s participants, experienced a slip on black ice while out on a work visit. Prior to the training, she admitted this likely would have gone unreported.
However, she recognised the importance of logging the incident on Eco Online, despite the injury appearing minor at the time.
Implementing a new course of action across the business
Both Adam and Tracy developed action pledges following the training, which have been implemented across SOCOTEC Building Control:
Adam Radmall
“Implement accident reporting training across Building Control, recognising that if board members didn’t know the process, operational staff would face similar challenges.”
Tracy Robinson
“Establish a safety committee within Building Control, with Adam taking the directorial lead for health and safety.”
As a result, directors gained a clearer understanding of their personal legal liabilities.
There was recognition that health and safety are everyone’s responsibility, not just the designated team, and that the importance of recording all incidents, regardless of apparent severity, is that consequences may develop later.
The future of health and safety-compliant operations
The IOSH SED course exceeded initial expectations, delivering an engaging and practically valuable training experience. The small group format facilitated meaningful discussion and knowledge sharing between SOCOTEC personnel and participants from other firms.
It left a legacy of improved director-level understanding of legal obligations, as well as a culture of improved incident reporting and awareness. The development of structured safety governance through the proposed safety committee and identification of training gaps requiring organisation-wide attention has left all course participants in a far safer environment.
At SOCOTEC Building Control, the team is working to implement the pledged actions, including rolling out targeted accident-reporting guidance and establishing formal safety committee structures – supporting our ongoing objective of improving safety culture.
The course has proven particularly valuable for the construction sector, where health and safety risks are elevated, demonstrating that engaging, well-delivered training can drive genuine change at a senior leadership level.
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