CDM Regulations 2007 [11]
In the UK, the legislation in place in relation to health and safety standards for the construction industry and any business involved with construction is the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007).
This legislation aims to set out in a concise and clear way who is involved during every stage of construction and with whom responsibility lies for each stage. It was brought in to supersede the 1994 CDM Regulations and the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. The thought process was to combine the two into a document which was easier to understand and follow by any person involved with construction.
The document is split into five main parts each covering different areas. A very brief summary of the parts of this document is given below.
Part 1 – Introduction
This section lays out the various terms which will be included in the remainder of the document and their precise meanings. For example, “CDM co-ordinator” means the person appointed as the CDM co-ordinator under regulation 14(1).
(A key note about this document is the constant referral to different parts of the document. Although constructed in this arrangement to simplify the document, the constant searching through the various pages for different sections can be tedious.)
Part 2 – General Management Duties Applying to Construction Projects
This part of the document sets out the key responsibilities by all major members of construction projects such as clients, designers and contractors.
(Often the term “reasonably practical” is used in relation to the scope which has to be met. This can lead to difficulties in regards to interpretation of what is required)
Part 3 – Additional Duties Where the Project is Notifiable
A project is deemed notifiable when it lasts longer than 30 days or 500 person days of construction. This really encompasses most construction projects unless they are very small scale.
This section highlights further responsibilities of the key members of a construction project and also introduces importantly, the duties of the CDM Co-Ordinator which is now one of the most crucial roles on-site in regards to health and safety. It also contains a large section on the principal contractor’s role.
Part 4 – Duties Relating to Health and Safety on Construction Sites
This part of the regulation deals with various construction site activities such as excavations, cofferdams etc and the health and safety items relating to that activity. Obviously different companies will have different ways of controlling health and safety in relation to these items but the elements discussed must be met by law.
Part 5 – General
This final part deals with one or two items that cannot be classified as such into the other section. It also has a section dealing with who the responsibility will lie by default if some of the major positions haven’t been specified before the project has commenced.
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