CDM co-ordinator services

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007) apply to ALL “construction work” carried out in Great Britain and came into force on 6 April 2007.

The new regulations revoked and replaced two previous documents: CDM 1994 and the Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1996.

The role of the Planning Supervisor is replaced by the CDM co-ordinator

Changes introduced by CDM 2007 affect all duty holders, which are the client, the designers, contractors (including the principal contractor) and the CDM co-ordinator. The role of the Planning Supervisor under CDM 1994 is now redundant and is replaced by the CDM co-ordinator. The key aim of the new regulations is to integrate health and safety into the management of the project and to encourage everyone involved to work together. The most important change it that it has made the Client accountable for construction health and safety risk management matters.

construction sites need a planning supervisor

As noted earlier, the CDM Regulations 2007 now applies to all construction work. There are only two types of project under CDM 2007: notifiable (to the HSE) or non-notifiable. A notifiable project is one where the construction work is likely to involve more than 30 days or more than 500 person days. If the project is notifiable all of the duties under CDM 2007 apply. If the project is non-notifiable a reduced number of duties apply.

There is considerable emphasis on the need for appropriate levels of competence to be used by all parties involved with the regulations. If you are unclear about what you are doing or what you are supposed to be doing, you are obliged to get advice from someone who does. Please contact us for assistance.

The role of the CDM Co-ordinator replaces and enhances the role of Planning Supervisor under the previous version of the regulations. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for CDM 2007 gives specific qualification and experience criteria for contractors, designers and CDM co-ordinators.

APS logoAt MWS Associates, we fulfil the criteria of qualifications and experience as set out in the ACOP. We are corporate members of the Association for Project Safety and are proud to be listed on the register for CDM co-ordinators. We would be happy to supply our ‘evidence of competence’ brochure on request.

Acting as a CDM co-ordinator we:

  • Advise and assist the client with their duties
  • Identify, compile and pass on Pre-Construction Information
  • Notify the Health and Safety Executive of the works
  • Co-ordinate health and safety aspects of design work and co-operate with others involved with the project
  • Assist good communication between client, designers and contractors
  • Prepare/update the Health and Safety File
There are specific duties that the client must perform

As the client is the person with the most influence over the project, there are specific duties that the client must perform under the regulations.  These duties place more emphasis on the role of the client than the previous regulations and include ensuring that there are, and continue to be, suitable management arrangements to ensure health, safety and welfare on site.

Clients must:

  • Appoint a CDM co-ordinator
  • Check the competence and resources of all those appointed by them to contribute to the project
  • Ensure there are suitable management arrangements for the project
  • Allow sufficient time and resources for all stages of the project
  • Provide Pre-Construction Information to designers and contractors (via the CDM co-ordinator)
  • Appoint a Principal Contractor as soon as is practicable after the CDM co-ordinator has been appointed.
  • Make sure that the construction phase doesn’t start unless there are suitable welfare facilities in place, and that a Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan has been developed by the Principal Contractor
  • Retain and provide access to the Health and Safety File
Failure to comply is a criminal offence

Failure to comply with the CDM regulations is a criminal offence, punishable under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. In addition an employee may bring a civil action for breach of the regulations against his employer.

It is vitally important that a CDM co-ordinator is appointed as early as possible in the project, which should be before any design work is undertaken. Please contact this office to discuss your requirements.

 
 
 
planning supervisor to co-ordinate health and safety on construction sites