Hydrogen-specific regulatory gap is leaving construction companies at risk

Hydrogen-specific regulatory gap is leaving construction companies at risk

As projects secure funding and hydrogen deployment moves into the construction phase, those contracted to deliver are working against a backdrop of existing site-safety law.  

As the hydrogen-specific regulatory framework is still being developed, this leaves significant gaps in workforce competence, which could put contractors and their staff at risk.

Elizabeth Simon, Director of Partnerships at Manchester-based Hydrogen Safe, the hydrogen safety training provider, explains why current site-safety law is not fit for purpose in an industry that is scaling projects faster than it is standardising hydrogen-specific site readiness.

She comments: “Existing construction law already places duties on clients, designers, principal contractors and contractors to plan, manage and monitor risk, appoint competent people and ensure workers receive site-specific inductions and further training where needed.

“DSEAR also requires employers to identify dangerous substances, control fire and explosion risk, prepare emergency procedures and make sure employees are properly informed and trained.

“While hydrogen is not outside of the law, the regulatory picture is fragmented and is still evolving, leaving those that are contracted to work on sites with an unavoidable gap in skills and competence.

“We are working in entirely new territories with gas systems that have never been implemented before. The need for training and verification with hydrogen should be considered as essential as any gas.”

With 27 projects across England, Scotland and Wales shortlisted in Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR) 2 in April 2025, in addition to the 11 projects from HAR1 that were announced in December 2023, and with the government confirming over £500m to enable the first regional hydrogen transport and storage network, hydrogen is no longer theoretical.

Elizabeth continues: “Projects supported by HAR1 are expected to create over 700 direct jobs¹. However, figures shared by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) 2025-2029 Construction Workforce Outlook suggests the industry will need an additional 47,860 workers per year to meet with demand².

“While this is encouraging for jobs and growth, it places a spotlight on the knowledge gap that the workforce deployed to work on these projects will have without intervention.

“The CITB reported that 200,343 individuals completed Site Safety Plus courses and 465,593 Health, Safety and Environmental (HS&E) tests were delivered³. What’s more, the CSCS has issued over 2.3 million cards across its system⁴.

“Using these figures, we can see the scale of the challenge. While construction is an industry that is bound by health and safety regulation and compliance, more must be done to mobilise the workforce needed to deliver hydrogen projects that have the potential to support and scale our economy.”

In a bid to bridge this gap, Hydrogen Safe has launched the Hydrogen Safety Passport, a one-day training course that reaffirms fundamental safety principles and how these can be applied to hydrogen gas safety.

Elizabeth comments: “In the absence of a hydrogen regulation framework, we have developed the Hydrogen Safety Passport to provide construction workers with the knowledge they need to work around hydrogen, providing their employers with the confidence that they have a competent team on site.

“We have developed this course with support from industry experts, and it is endorsed by Inspection and Consultancy Services (IACS), a pipeline inspection company that has been established for more than 25-years.

“If we are to move at the pace required to meet with decarbonisation targets by 2030, we must get the infrastructure in place and that includes the training provision to keep the workforce safe.”

In addition to the Hydrogen Safety Passport, those that complete the course will also receive entry on the Hydrogen Safe Verification Register, providing contractors with assurance that workers are equipped to work around hydrogen.

Elizabeth concludes: “When we launched back in 2023, businesses were talking about futureproofing talent. Today, we need a workforce that is ready now. There is a skills gap that we must address. We no longer have time to plan; we must support businesses to get the infrastructure in place that we need and will rely on for many years to come.”

For more details about Hydrogen Safe please visit: www.hydrogen-safe.org.uk or for regular updates follow @Hydrogen Safe on LinkedIn.