The Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations are the main set of regulations for managing health and safety in construction work.
New CDM Regulations came into force on 6 April 2015. There is, however, a six-month transitional period until October 6th 2015.
What’s changing?
The revised regulations contain several key changes, including:
-
– Introduction of Principal Designers (PD) to replace CDM Co-ordinators
It should be noted at this point that the PD must be a designer as defined in the Regulations, i.e., anyone who as part of their business (a) prepares or modifies a design; or (b) arranges for, or instructs any person under their control to do so.
-
– Clients having to undertake more duties
The client is now responsible for notifying the HSE of a notifiable project; appointing a principal designer and contractor in writing; taking reasonable steps to ensure that the principal designer and principal contractor comply with their duties under the new CDM Regulations; ensuring a construction phase health and safety plan is prepared by the principal contractor; and ensuring a health and safety file is prepared by the principal designer.
-
– Changes in notification thresholds
Clients have to inform the relevant enforcing authority (such as the HSE, Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) or Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)) of certain construction projects.
-
– Requirement for all projects to have a written Construction Phase Plan
The construction phase plan must set out the health and safety arrangements and site rules taking account, where necessary, of the industrial activities taking place on the construction site and, where applicable, must include specific measures concerning work.
-
– Abolition of the Approved Code of Practice
-
– Contractors and designers are to ensure that they have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to fulfil their roles and the person appointing them has to satisfy themselves of this too.
More detailed information about the 2015 CDM regulations can be found on the HSE regulations guide here.
If you have any further questions please post a comment below or contact us on 020 7244 1900.