Safety of society

Structural engineers are of critical importance in managing the risk to society throughout the lifecycle of the structure.

Structural engineers consider the safety of structures from design and construction through to operation and demolition, in accordance with local legislation. 

Structural engineers are key to ensuring that the built environment is robust and that lessons are learnt. This topic impacts upon the collaborative nature of construction and the need to ensure responsibilities are clearly defined at the outset of projects.

Effective retention and communication of project information, including maintenance and refurbishment, is paramount in ensuring the safety of society.

Latest news from CROSS

 

Sign up for safety alerts and reports

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Email updates are the best way to receive the latest safety information and news from CROSS, including the Newsletter. Register for a CROSS account and sign up to emails from the CROSS regions that are relevant to you to stay up to date.
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Read the latest CROSS newsletter

Read the latest CROSS newsletter

Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS) publishes reports on fire and structural safety incidents and near-misses. Each report also contains expert analysis and insight to prevent future occurrences.

Featured resources

Related resources and events

Course
A foundation construction site

Ground investigation and outline foundation design - November 2026

Ground investigation and outline foundation design - November 2026

This half-day in-person course provides guidance to early-career structural engineers to develop a better understanding of geotechnical engineering and use that knowledge to enhance and promote sustainable design.
Date – 18 November 2026
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS and online
Price – £225 - £345 + VAT
Course
A construction site revealing a concrete structure and scaffolding against bright sun is shown.

Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures - November 2026

Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures - November 2026

This course covers the design of common structural elements to Eurocode 2. Participants will be introduced to concrete material properties and learn about designing for durability and fire.
Date – 17 November 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
steel roof

Eurocode 3: structural steelwork design - November 2026

Eurocode 3: structural steelwork design - November 2026

This course provides an introduction to structural steelwork design to Eurocode 3 for building design.
Date – 3 November 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
industrial factory with old machinery

Conservation engineering - October 2026

Conservation engineering - October 2026

This course will provide engineers with the confidence to work with listed buildings, balancing protection of building fabric while managing safety.
Date – 27 October 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
A building undergoing demolition

Demolition and structural refurbishment - October 2026

Demolition and structural refurbishment - October 2026

This course provides guidance on specific aspects of demolition and refurbishment from an engineering perspective, while addressing safety, environmental and sustainability influences.
Date – 6 October 2026
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Course
Temporary bracing of steel frame

Steel essentials: practical design of structural steelwork

Steel essentials: practical design of structural steelwork

This one day, online course presents practical guidance on key aspects of preliminary scheme development and detailed scheme design in structural steelwork.
Date – 5 October 2026
Location – Online
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Forum
A fire in a building

Structures in fire forum

Structures in fire forum

A one-day forum discussing state-of-the-art structural fire engineering trends and problems.
Date – 1 October 2026
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – Free
Course
Firefighters saving a fire.

Structural fire engineering - September 2026

Structural fire engineering - September 2026

This course is designed to provide structural engineers with a greater understanding of fire safety, key legislation, and the principles of risk analysis in order to ensure that adequate structural performance in fire is achieved. You will examine case studies of structural and non-structural failures as a result of fire.
Date – 30 September 2026
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £315 - £465 + VAT
Guidance
Safety - hard hats

Safety pause: What does ‘safety culture’ mean to us?

Safety pause: What does ‘safety culture’ mean to us?

This guidance demonstrates how to facilitate a short, open discussion about what safety culture looks like in practice.
Date – 9 July 2026
Author – David Thomas
Price – Free
Guidance
A female making an inspection wearing a hard hat and carrying a clip board.

Managing health and safety in construction – The general principles of prevention

Managing health and safety in construction – The general principles of prevention

This article outlines the general principles of prevention which promote accident prevention, a strong safety culture and encourage socially responsible designs.
Date – 9 July 2026
Author – Phil Baker
Price – Free
The Structural Engineer
A woman in a suit holds an award certificate next to a man in a suit with a medal around his neck.

Kenneth Severn Award 2026: the 6Rs

Kenneth Severn Award 2026: the 6Rs

Winner of the Institution's annual Kenneth Severn Award, Rena Vogelzang, answers President Brian Uy's essay question on structural efficiency, embodied carbon and maintaining public safety.
Date – 2 July 2026
Author – Rena Vogelzang
Price – £9.95
The Structural Engineer
Image of the Cross logo: Collaborative Reporting for safer structures

CROSS Safety Report: Incomplete assessment of highway bridge raises questions

CROSS Safety Report: Incomplete assessment of highway bridge raises questions

This month's report concerns an unresolved highway bridge inspection assessment with the CROSS Expert Panel urging dialogue with Network Rail's asset manager.
Date – 1 June 2026
Author – Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures
Price – £0
Training
Construction of Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture

Building for impact: lessons from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture campus

Building for impact: lessons from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture campus

This lecture explores the delivery of an award‑winning, earthquake‑resistant project in rural Rwanda, examining context‑specific challenges of working with local materials in a seismic zone while building skills, supply chains, and lasting community impact.
Date – 21 May 2026
Author – Various
Price – Free
Guidance
A person's hands using a scientific calculator and writing in a notebook, with "Calculation models" text.

Calculation models

Calculation models

Calculation Models is for engineers who understand that calculations are not just paperwork, but a record of professional judgment. This guide promotes consistency, clarity, and sound engineering judgment throughout the design process.
Date – 15 May 2026
Author – Calum Lockhart
Price – £44.95
The Structural Engineer
Electrical wires and insulation in a cramped, dusty crawl space.

CROSS Safety Report: Alterations to spine wall and joists result in structural issues

CROSS Safety Report: Alterations to spine wall and joists result in structural issues

This month's report details the structural damage in a listed building after alterations that involved moving a spine wall and notching timber joists.
Date – 1 May 2026
Author – Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures
Price – £0