Building Safety Act 2022: What the Golden Thread Means for Contractors

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced the most significant change to UK construction regulation in a generation. For contractors working on higher-risk buildings (over 18 metres or 7+ storeys), the “golden thread” requirement creates a new layer of compliance documentation that must be maintained throughout the building’s lifecycle.

What Is the Golden Thread?

The golden thread is a digital record of all information needed to demonstrate that a building has been designed, constructed, and maintained safely. For contractors, this includes:

• Competence records for every worker and subcontractor on site
• Design documentation showing compliance with building regulations
• Product information for all materials and systems installed
• Change records documenting any deviations from the original design

What This Means for Principal Contractors

Since April 2024, principal contractors on higher-risk building projects must:

1. Demonstrate competence of every subcontractor in their supply chain to the Building Safety Regulator
2. Maintain digital records — paper-based systems are insufficient
3. Provide information on request to the Building Safety Regulator, often within tight deadlines
4. Ensure supply chain compliance — you are responsible for your subcontractors’ documentation

Enforcement Is Real

The Building Safety Regulator has enforcement powers including:

• Compliance notices requiring specific actions within a deadline
• Stop notices halting all construction work on a project
• Criminal prosecution for serious or persistent non-compliance

A stop notice on a major project can cost thousands of pounds per day in delays, not counting the reputational damage.

Documents You Need to Track

For every subcontractor on a higher-risk building project, you should have on file:

• CSCS card or equivalent skills certification (with expiry date)
• Relevant trade qualifications and certifications
• Employers’ Liability Insurance certificate
• Public Liability Insurance certificate
• Health and safety training records
• CDM 2015 compliance documentation

How VendorProof Helps

VendorProof provides a digital repository for all subcontractor compliance documents with automated expiry tracking. When CSCS cards, insurance certificates, or trade licences are approaching expiry, both you and your subcontractor receive automated reminders. The audit log records every upload, change, and notification — creating exactly the kind of auditable digital record the Building Safety Act requires.

Start tracking your subcontractor compliance documentation for free with VendorProof.