frequently asked questions
q. When do the new CDM 2007 regulations come into force and how do they affect current construction projects?
a. The new Regulations come into force on the 6th April 2007 and all duty holders on existing construction projects must comply with the new regulations from this date.
The planning supervisor will be appointed by the client as CDM Co-ordinator for the project. Without an express appointment by the client the planning supervisor & principal contractor will automatically be appointed under the CDM 2007 Regulations.
q. How does the Client ensure that the current planning supervisor is competent to carry out the role of CDM Co-ordinator?
a. The regulations allow for a 12 month transitional period during which time the CDM Co-ordinator must take reasonable steps to ensure that he or she is competent to fully carry out the duties set out in the new regulations.
q. As the client for a construction project what additional duties am I required to carry out?
a. The regulations relating to the client focus on their arrangements for managing projects and also their duties in relation to flow of information. The arrangements for managing projects include the client ensuring that adequate welfare facilities are available on site. The client is not responsible for providing the welfare facilities but should assist where possible in ensuring that adequate services are available for their arrival on site.
Further to this, clients have to ensure that any structure designed for use as a workplace has been designed taking into account of the provisions of the Workplace(Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992.
The client should promptly provide any designer or contractor he appoints with pre construction information that is within his possession or is easily obtainable.
q. As a designer for a construction project what additional duties am I required to carry out?
a. Where a project is notifiable designers must not commence detailed design work(Stage C of the RIBA Plan of Work) unless a CDM Co-ordinator has been appointed for the project.
In designing any structure for use as a workplace the designer shall take account of the provisions of the Workplace(Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 which relate to the design of, and materials used in the structure.
q. What are the CDM Co-ordinators Duties?
a. The CDM Co-ordinators duties are summarised as follows:
- Give suitable and sufficient advice and assistance to the client
- Ensure suitable arrangements are in place to facilitate co-operation and co-ordination between all of the parties involved and that the general principles of prevention are being applied.
- Identify and collect the pre construction information and provide this information promptly to every designer carrying out work on the structure and every contractor appointed by the client.
- Liaise with the principal contractor regarding the contents of the health & safety file, the information required to prepare the construction phase plan and any design developments that may affect the construction work
- Ensure that designers comply with their duties and ensure co-operation between designers and principal contractors relating to design issues during the construction phase
- Prepare the health & safety file and pass this to the client at the end of the construction phase
q. What are the General Principles of Prevention?
a. Avoiding risks
- Evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided
- Combating the risks at source
- Adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of workplaces
- Adapting to technical progress
- Replacing the dangerous by the non dangerous or less dangerous
- Developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working environment
- Giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures