SCOTLAND’S largest trade association, SELECT, has echoed the Grenfell Inquiry’s call for regulation and a ‘shake-up’ of the construction industry.
The body has now called on the Scottish Government to ‘step up and act on regulation’ before tragedy strikes again.
The campaigning body says it agrees with inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick that the sector needs ‘fundamental change’ to avoid a repeat of the tragic blaze in which 72 people lost their lives in June 2017.
Among the recommendations in yesterday’s damning report, Sir Martin said the sector should appoint a construction regulator to oversee all aspects of the industry.
SELECT MD Alan Wilson believes such a suggestion underlines the ‘urgent need’ for regulation of the electrical industry, which it has been campaigning for over the past ten years.
Mr Wilson said, “As an organisation which has always put safety first and foremost, we welcome the call from the Grenfell Inquiry for an industry regulator and we can only reiterate that this report reinforces the absolute importance of regulation in our sector. We have been calling for similar measures for more than a decade but despite significant cross-party support, our pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears among those who have the power – but apparently not the will – to make it happen.
“When is the government going to act? Will it take another disaster for it to wake up and do something? Grenfell should be a catalyst for real change and the politicians have the power in their hands to make that happen and step up and act on regulation.
“Electrical safety is a very real issue and regulation of the industry would help eliminate the risks posed by unqualified people carrying out potentially dangerous work.”
Mr Wilson said SELECT’s campaign had attracted support from MPs and MSPs of all parties, who all agreed about the importance of professionalism, transparency and safety in construction procedures.
He added, “We have a draft Bill ready to go and now’s the chance for the Scottish Parliament to use its powers and be a leader in the changes which we need. There can’t be short cuts or quick fixes. This report reinforces the importance of always using suitably qualified professionals in safety-critical work and SELECT will continue to work hard behind the scenes to ensure working conditions are safe for contractors.”
The campaign for protection of title for the profession of electrician has been pursued over many years by SELECT in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust(SECTT), Unite the Union and other industry bodies.
The campaigns aims to make it a statutory offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications, and to make sure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner.
SELECT has set up a Wall of Support for backers to add their voice to the cause, with recent additions including former transport minister Kevin Stewart and Conservative MSPs Craig Hoy and Oliver Mundell. Cross-party support was also evident in a recent episode of SELECT’s Sparks’ Remarks podcast, with Tories Jamie Halcro-Johnston and Brian Whittle and Labour’s Monica Lennon all reinforcing their backing for the campaign.
