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All those who design, build, own and manage buildings and public spaces have duties of care to ensure the safety of people, be they employees or members of the public.

From preventing slips and trips or falls from height, to controlling the risks of legionnaire's disease, to preventing fire, managing asbestos or ensuring safe evacuation in an emergency, the challenges are very extensive. With an increasing focus on corporate liability and the role of directors and senior managers, no organisation, which has responsibilities for buildings, can afford to be unclear about the expectations of the authorities or their liabilities under statute and common law. There is every possibility that UK law in this area will reach beyond our national boundaries in cases where UK citizens or organisations have caused death through a failure in their duty of care.

To help clarify understanding in this key area, the Chartered Institute of Building, in association with RoSPA, is organising a special conference to examine the implications of safety law surrounding buildings, including the new Corporate Manslaughter Act and its implications for relevant professionals.