Community of Practice – Managing construction risk

Background 

The insurance and construction sectors have a vital role to play in managing risk. Increased collaboration and understanding amongst practitioners is needed to improve the management of risk from construction activity related to people, property, environment and profitability. After extensive consultation with insurance providers, clients, contractors and consultancies CIRIA has developed a new Community of Practice focusing on risk management in construction. 

The management of risk is a perennial issue for the construction and management of assets. There have been a number of significant high profile incidents in the past where a better understanding and management of risk could have led to better outcomes. To support the development of good practice in risk management CIRIA has delivered the following outputs in the recent past:

• Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience. Edition 1 (supported by insurance industry).
• Control of risk: a guide to the systematic management of risk from construction.
• Engaging with risk.
• Guidance on catastrophic events in construction.
• Communication and engagement in local flood risk management.
• Development and flood risk – guidance for the construction industry.
• Asbestos in soil and made ground: a guide to understanding and managing risks.

Aims & outcomes

This new CIRIA community of practice has clear aims and outcomes for the next three years. It is an opportunity for the industry and insurers to form a practitioners’ network which will generate more focused collaboration and enhance knowledge transfer aimed at improving the management of risk and financial performance.  Community events will support knowledge sharing and good practice in areas such as professional indemnity, water damage, project insurance and design. All events will be free to network members. CIRIA will also collate materials from sector bodies and practitioners across a variety of risk management areas and make this information freely accessible on the CIRIA website.

Organisations can support the community achieve its aims over a three year period by becoming members. Membership will provide speaking and briefing opportunities as well as give individual practitioners within their organisations free access to network events (CPD).  The founding partners will be launching the new network on a CIRIA webinar in the autumn. Watch this space.

If you would like to get involved and become a member of this new community of practice, please contact Dirk Vennix.
Project status
This project is currently underway,

Further information
Current members: Environment Agency, Fenchurch Law, Fugro, Jacobs, Laing O'Rourke, Landsec and Marsh.

 To find out more and get involved, please contact Dirk Vennix