Grenfell Tower - a catalyst for change?

摘要

I had expected to begin this editorial with a discussion of various awards, but just days before the issue was due to go to press, the UK awoke to news of the terrible tragedy that was unfolding at Grenfell Tower in west London. The horrific fire has devastated a community, shocked a nation and rocked the government. All of a sudden, Building Regulations are in the media spotlight in an unprecedented way. As Structural-Safety states on page 31, catastrophe is often the catalyst for profound change, and Grenfell Tower will surely lead to just that. In a country that can appear obsessed by 'red tape', the tragedy highlights why much regulation exists and why these should be revisited periodically. Just this morning, a group of health and safety organisations and professionals has published an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May calling for a change in attitudes towards health and safety regulation and fire risk management.