Building Safety Act 2022 and the Golden Thread
TL;DR
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduces the Golden Thread of Information — a requirement to maintain structured, accessible safety information throughout the lifecycle of higher-risk buildings. Workforce Guardian helps construction companies digitise safety records, manage structured project documentation, and generate audit-ready evidence packs that support Golden Thread obligations.
What is the Building Safety Act 2022?
The Building Safety Act 2022 is landmark UK legislation introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower fire. It creates a new regulatory regime for the design, construction, and management of higher-risk buildings (primarily residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys in England).
Key elements include:
- A new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) with powers to approve and inspect higher-risk buildings
- New duty holder roles (Accountable Person, Principal Accountable Person)
- The Gateway process for planning and building regulations approval
- The Golden Thread of Information
Who it's for
- Principal Contractors working on higher-risk buildings who must manage design and construction records for regulatory approval
- Principal Designers responsible for coordinating design safety information and Gateway submissions
- Developers and Clients of higher-risk building projects who hold ultimate accountability for building safety
- Building Owners and Managers who inherit the Golden Thread on completion
- H&S Managers in businesses that work across both standard and higher-risk building projects
UK compliance notes
The Building Safety Act 2022 applies in England. The Scottish and Welsh governments are implementing equivalent measures separately.
Higher-risk buildings are defined as those at least 18 metres tall or with at least 7 storeys, that contain at least 2 residential units. The Act's construction-phase requirements (Gateway 2 and 3) are administered by the Building Safety Regulator, which took on these functions in April 2024.
Non-compliance can result in regulatory enforcement, stop notices, and in serious cases, criminal prosecution of duty holders.
What is the Golden Thread?
The Golden Thread is the term used by Dame Judith Hackitt's Independent Review to describe a connected, structured set of information about a building that is:
- Created and maintained from design through construction and into occupation
- Stored digitally in a secure, accessible format
- Updated whenever changes occur
- Transferred to subsequent duty holders on handover
It enables anyone responsible for the building to understand what was built, why decisions were made, and what safety measures are in place. In practical terms, this means: structured BIM data, design decisions, change records, risk assessments, inspection records, and as-built documentation — all linked and accessible.
How Workforce Guardian helps
Structured Project Documentation — Workforce Guardian organises all project safety records (RAMS, incidents, check-ins, inspections) in a structured format linked to specific projects, sites, and tasks — creating a foundation for Golden Thread compliance.
Digital Change Records — When RAMS documents are updated, version history is preserved with timestamps, user identity, and reason for change. This provides the change record element of the Golden Thread.
Evidence Pack Generation — Compile all project safety records into a structured evidence pack at any project milestone — supporting Gateway 2 and 3 submissions and ongoing BSR requests.
Role-Based Access — Only authorised users can view, edit, and approve specific documents. All access is logged — creating the access audit trail the Golden Thread requires.
Photo and Media Records — Site photos captured during AI project creation, incident reporting, and inspections are stored against the project and timestamped — forming part of the as-built and safety event record.
Checklist: Golden Thread information requirements
| Information Type | Workforce Guardian |
|---|---|
| Design and construction decisions | Project and RAMS records |
| Changes to design or methods | RAMS version history + re-sign |
| Risk assessments | AI-generated, timestamped |
| Safety incident records | Incident log with photos |
| Worker competency and sign-offs | RAMS digital signatures |
| Site access records | Geofenced check-in log |
| Handover documentation | Evidence pack export |
FAQs
Does the Building Safety Act apply to all construction projects?
No. The Act's most stringent requirements (including the Gateway process and Golden Thread obligations) apply specifically to higher-risk buildings — primarily residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys. However, the Act also introduces broader reforms to building regulations and introduces a new culture of competence across the construction industry that affects all projects.
What is the Gateway process?
The Gateway process is a three-stage regulatory checkpoint for higher-risk buildings. Gateway 1 (planning), Gateway 2 (before construction begins — requires Building Safety Regulator approval), and Gateway 3 (before occupation — requires sign-off from the BSR). Workforce Guardian's project documentation and evidence pack features support the preparation of Gateway 2 and 3 submissions.
Who is the Accountable Person under the Building Safety Act?
The Accountable Person is the duty holder responsible for managing the ongoing safety of a higher-risk building in occupation. For a block of flats, this is typically the freeholder or management company. During construction, the Principal Contractor has equivalent duties under Gateway 2. The Accountable Person must register the building with the Building Safety Regulator and produce a Building Safety Case.
What happens at Gateway 2?
Before construction of a higher-risk building can begin, the Principal Contractor must submit detailed H&S and design information to the Building Safety Regulator and receive approval. This includes the full design package, Construction Control Plan, and evidence of competence. Work cannot legally begin until Gateway 2 approval is granted.
Is Workforce Guardian specifically designed for higher-risk buildings?
Workforce Guardian is designed for all UK construction, with features that align with the structured information management requirements of the Building Safety Act for higher-risk building projects. If you are working on higher-risk buildings, we recommend using Workforce Guardian alongside your BIM and document management systems, as part of a broader Golden Thread information strategy.