| To begin with it's perhaps worth looking at what the | | | | insurance, scaffolders insurance and contractors |
| CDM regulations are and put simply they have been | | | | insurance but management of all parts of the project |
| introduced to ensure construction projects are safe | | | | and checks should be done to ensure all parties are |
| to build, use and be maintained whilst delivery good | | | | working with safety in mind. |
| value to the client. As well as this they have also | | | | 6. On site Welfare facilities - you should ensure that |
| been put into place to ensure through good health | | | | workers on your site have been provided with |
| and safety planning projects are well managed and | | | | adequate welfare facilities before work starts |
| problems and unexpected costs are kept to minimum | | | | including any information needed for the health and |
| levels. | | | | safety file. |
| For some this may seem like yet more regulation and | | | | 7. Workplace design - it is up to you to make sure |
| unnecessary paperwork and processes but in reality | | | | your design team complies with the standards set |
| the CMD 2007 regulations have been introduced to | | | | out in the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) |
| ensure construction and building work is done by | | | | Regulations 1992 if your project is for changes to an |
| competent people who work safely and efficiently. | | | | existing workplace (e.g. office or factory) or if the |
| When it comes to requirements of clients (or the | | | | project is for a new workplace. |
| person having the work carried out) the regulations | | | | In addition to the above requirements as a client you |
| don't apply to domestic clients. A domestic client is | | | | also have to make sure you do the following for |
| defined as being someone who will or does live in the | | | | notifiable construction projects with the definition of |
| premises where the work is being carried out. The | | | | notifiable construction work being that which lasts |
| premises at which at work is being done must not | | | | longer than 30 days or involves 500 person days of |
| also relate to any trade, business or other | | | | work. |
| undertaking for the client to be deemed as domestic. | | | | For these projects you also have to ensure that: |
| So if you're a non domestic client under the | | | | 8. You appoint a CDM co-coordinator - although CDM |
| Construction (Design and Management) Regulations | | | | 2007 doesn't mean your Construction Design and |
| 2007 you have to: | | | | Management co-coordinator has to supervise or |
| 1. Appoint the right people - trade associations are a | | | | monitor work on site you should appoint one before |
| great way to find designers and contractors who are | | | | the initial design and preparation stage. Their role will |
| competent, have sufficient resources and will carry | | | | range from helping you select competent designers |
| out work safely. | | | | and contractors to making sure the Health and |
| 2. Allow enough time for your project - failing to | | | | Safety Executive is notified of your project. |
| allow for adequate time for the design, planning and | | | | 9. You appoint a main contractor - a main or principle |
| construction is likely to mean more chance of it being | | | | contractor will plan, co-ordinate and manage work on |
| unsafe or of a poor quality. | | | | notifiable jobs whilst construction work is being done |
| 3. Information is vital - to ensure your project runs | | | | 10. You have health & safety plans - Work |
| smoothly you have to ensure that your construction | | | | shouldn't commence on site until the principal |
| team is told what you want, how you will use it as | | | | contractor has produced a construction phase health |
| well as details of the site, structures and hazards as | | | | and safety plan that ensures that work will be carried |
| this will allow them to plan, budget and work to your | | | | out safety |
| exact requirements. | | | | 11. You keep a health & safety file - the health |
| 4. Communication and co-operation - injuries, | | | | & safety file should contain a record of health |
| overspending at a later stage and misunderstandings | | | | and safety information and should be given to your |
| can all be kept to a minimum if you, your contractors | | | | at the end of your project by the CDM |
| and your designers communicate and co-operate as | | | | co-coordinator. This file should be used in the future |
| much as possible. | | | | by anyone who is looking to maintain, repair or |
| 5. Management - having adequate and suitable | | | | demolish the building. |
| management in place is vital for construction projects | | | | Failure to comply with CDM 2007 from a clients' point |
| as they can be extremely complex due to the | | | | of view could result in construction work being |
| various types of contractors and tradesmen all | | | | stopped by HSE or your local authority. Likewise |
| working together. And as some of these contractors | | | | failure to take the necessary steps to ensure good |
| are involved in high-risk activities (for example, | | | | health and safety procedures are in place could |
| roofing contractors and scaffolding contractors) then | | | | dramatically increase the chances of a dangerous or |
| it is important that management arrangements are in | | | | fatal incident occurring whilst your construction work |
| place to ensure all work done is safe and is | | | | is carried out. And in the most serious cases you |
| completed in a timely manner. Clearly contractors like | | | | could even find yourself open to prosecution. |
| roofers and scaffolders will have their own ways of | | | | Make sure your site is safe - you have a duty to do |
| working and protection in the form of construction | | | | so. |