CDM Regulations 2015

30th April 2015 By Clark Contracts Ltd

With the changes to the CDM Regulations being introduced this month, we have summarised the impact of these changes for contractors below. The aim behind the new regulations is to bring them more closely in line with European legislation; particularly regarding domestic clients, to make them simpler, to reduce the need for detailed competence assessments and to ensure that the CDM process is embedded in the project team.

 

The key changes to the current Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 are as follows:

• The role of CDM Co-ordinator (CDMC) is replaced by that of a Principal Designer. The principal designer and the client will now be responsible for the duties previously undertaken by the CDM co-ordinator.

 

• The 2015 CDM Regulations now apply to domestic clients, meaning where there is more than one contractor involved and no Principal Designer appointed, the client has to appoint a Principal Contractor who will then undertake their obligations under the regulations.

 

• If a project lasts longer than 30 days and has 20 workers on site simultaneously, or exceeds 500 person days the Principal Designer must notify the HSE.

 

As a main contractor, we have a duty to ensure that the regulations are followed not only by ourselves but also any other project stakeholders.

 

To ensure projects which are currently on site are not penalised by the new regulations the HSE is exercising an introduction period. This is a six month transition period from the start of the new regulations for existing projects to terminate CDM co-ordinator appointments and for a Principal Designer to be appointed in their place.

 

For projects where the CDMC has been appointed prior to 6^th April 2015 the project will be administered under the 2007 regulations, and providing it is completed by 6^th October 2015 no changes are required. Should it not be complete by this date the Client must appoint a Principal Designer before 6^th October who will complete the project.

 

For projects where a CDMC has not been appointed prior to the 6^th of April the client must appoint a Principal Designer, and the project will be administered under CDM 2015 regulations.

 

The Principal Contractor is the contractor who has overall responsibility of the construction phase and the following tasks:

 

• Preparing a Construction Phase Plan (CPP);
• Implementing the plan including facilitation and cooperation between contractors;
• Monitoring health and safety and ensuring the site is secured;
• Providing the required welfare facilities for the project;
• To ensure all members of the workforce and visitors complete a site induction
• To liaise with the principal designer;
• To provide information for the Health and Safety File

 

A CPP will now be required for all projects where there will be more than one contractor working on site. The new regulations will predominantly affect our Maintenance Division and some of our Small Works Divisions projects that currently do not require a CPP.  We have therefore amended our process to ensure to ensure we continue to meet the requirements of legislation.

 

You can read more about the regulations on the HSE’s website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm. 

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