 Introduction to CDM 2007 (Construction
Design & Management) Regulations
The new Construction (Design & Management) regulations became law on 6th April. CDM 2007 places legal duties on virtually everyone involved in construction work. According to the HSE, the 3 benefits of the new legislation are to:
- Improve health and safety in your industry
- Have the right people for the right job at the right time to manage the risks on site
- Focus on effective planning and managing risk - manage the risk not the paperwork
The new CDM 2007 Regulations are divided into 5 parts:
- Part 1 deals with the application of the Regulations and definitions.
- Part 2 covers general duties that apply to all construction projects.
- Part 3 contains additional duties that only apply to notifiable construction projects, i.e. those lasting more that 30 days or involving more than 500 person days of construction work.
- Part 4 contains practical requirements that apply to all construction sites.
- Part 5 contains the transitional arrangements and revocations.
To view the regulations: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20070320_en_1
Those with legal duties under CDM 2007 are commonly known as ‘Duty
Holders’. This includes Clients, CDM Co-coordinators, Designers,
Principal Contractors, Contractors and Workers.
Duty Holders
Clients - A 'client' is anyone having construction or building work carried out as part of their business. This could be an individual, partnership or company and includes property developers or management companies for domestic properties.
More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/clients.htm
CDM coordinators - A 'CDM coordinator' has to be appointed
to advise the client on projects that last more than 30 days or involve
500 person days of construction work. The CDM coordinator's role is to
advise the client on health and safety issues during the design and planning
phases of construction work and to advise the HSE (see
project notification) of a construction project. McCormack
Benson Health and Safety would be happy to discuss this role with you
in more detail and can supply someone to act as your CDM Co-coordinator
if required.
More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/coordinators.htm
Designers - The term 'designer' has a broad meaning and relates to the function performed, rather than the profession or job title. Designers are those who, as part of their work, prepare design drawings, specifications, bills of quantities and the specification of articles and substances. This could include architects, engineers and quantity surveyors.
More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/designers.htm
Principal contractors - A 'principal contractor' has to be appointed for projects which last more than 30 days or involve 500 person days of construction work. The principal contractor's role is to plan, manage and co-ordinate health and safety while construction work is being undertaken. The principal contractor is usually the main or managing contractor for the work.
More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/principlecontract.htm
Contractors - A 'contractor' is a business who is involved in construction, alteration, maintenance or demolition work. This could involve building, civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, demolition and maintenance companies, partnerships and the self-employed.
More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/contractors.htm
Workers - A ’worker’ is anyone who carries out work during the construction, alteration, maintenance or demolition of a building or structure. A worker could be, for example, a plumber, electrician, scaffolder, painter, decorator, steel erector, as well as those supervising the work, such as foreman and chargehands.
More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/workers.htm
A summary of duties by each Duty Holders can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/summary.htm
Project Notification
CDM 2007 requires most construction work to be notified to the HSE. Notification is required if the project, commonly referred to as a ‘construction project’, is likely to either last longer than 30 days or involve more than 500 persons days of construction work.
A ‘person day’ is one individual, including supervisors or specialist trades, carrying out construction work for one normal working shift. Any day on which construction work is carried out (including holidays and weekends) should be counted, even if the work on that day is of short duration.
Construction work for a domestic client is not notifiable. A domestic client is someone who lives, or will live, in the premises where the work is carried out. The premises must not relate to any trade, business or undertaking.
Schedule 1 of the CDM regulations details what you are required by law to notify: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/schedule1.htm
A form known as the F10 can be used to make notification easier: https://www.hse.gov.uk/forms/notification/f10.pdf
It is the CDM coordinator for the work that is required to send the
notification to the HSE office covering the site where construction work
is to take place. Notification should be submitted as soon as possible
after the client has appointed the CDM coordinator. A full list of HSE
offices by area can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/maps/index.htm
Risk of Non-Compliance
The HSE will investigate possible serious breaches of health and safety legislation on your construction project, which could result in construction work being stopped and you having to take on additional work to rectify matters. In the most serious circumstances you may be prosecuted.
The aim of CDM 2007 is to try and reduce the risks of fatalities and injury in the construction industry. There are many ways to find out more advice about what the regulations entail and McCormack Benson Health and Safety would be happy to help you. We see it as our role to help you comply with the legislation to manage the risk and overcome problems. We work with you as your ally to allow you to keep you doing what it is you do best.
Related Pages:
CDM Co-ordinator
Services from £750
CDM Construction Design and Management Regulations
Health and Safety In The Construction Industry by MBHS Health and Safety Consultants
Please contact
us to discuss your requirements.
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