CDM 2015: How will the changes affect the Construction Industry?

The new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations brought in at the start of April this year look set to introduce a number of changes to the industry when the transitional period is complete in October 2015. Here, Safety Equipment Suppliers, Manchester Safety, highlight how the construction industry will be affected by the changes.

Definition of the Client

The new regulations have slightly realigned which parties can fall under the title of ‘Client’. The new regulations determine that all clients who are receiving construction work which does not further their business interests should be referred to as a ‘Domestic Client’. This brings the rights and responsibilities of non-profit organisations and charities in line with homeowners rather than for-profit business owners.

Definition of Pre-Construction Phase

The redefined pre-construction phase can now overlap with the construction phase – extending until all design and preparatory or design work is completed.

Increased Client Duties

The CDM 2015 has increased the responsibilities and duties of the client. The client is now responsible for ensuring suitable arrangements for the management of the project are completed. The client must also ensure that a contractor has drawn up a suitable and substantial construction phase plan.

The new regulations also dictate that the client must ensure that the principle designer has prepared a sufficient health and safety file for the project.

Appointment of Principle Contractor and Principle Designer

CDM 2015 also includes more clearly defined regulations for appointing the principle contractor and principle director – necessitating the latter is appointed at the very beginning of all design work, including feasibility.

Reduced Health and Safety Bureaucracy

The new regulations have been designed to try and reduce the bureaucracy attached to health and safety rules. Streamlining the process – the HSE hopes the new regulations will reduce the drain on funds and time.

Paul Manchester, Director of Manchester Safety Services, adds: “The new CDM emphasises the importance of genuine safety on construction sites without compromising the quality and accuracy of the reporting.”

Construction Phase Planning

The new regulations clearly dictate that the principle designer must assist the principle contractor in the preparation of the construction phase plan. The principle designer must also prepare the project’s health and safety file as the job progresses. However, if the principle designer does not continue until the end of the project, the principle contractor assumes this responsibility.

The principle contractor must liaise with the principle designer throughout the duration of the project – keeping the latter abreast of planning and management of the job.

Detailed Risks

The new regulations have specified additional risk concerns which must be considered by the principle contractor when developing the construction plan. The new risks specified include burial under earth falls, engulfment in swampland, risk of drowning and falling from a height. Additionally, the regulations stress the importance of health monitoring on sites which potentially put workers at risk of contamination from chemical or biological substances.

The new regulations have also been designed to protect workers who are working near high voltage power lines, in compressed air atmospheres and in wells, underground or in tunnels.

Existing Projects

Projects which were not notifiable under the previous CDM and no principle contractor has been appointed, must appoint a principle contractor as soon as practicable after 6th April. The newly-appointed principle contractor must then produce a construction phase plan and a health and safety file.

If the principle contractor has been appointed but the project is due to be completed before the transitional implementation stage concludes on 6th October 2015, there is no requirement to appoint a principle designer. However, if the project is due to continue past this date, a client must appoint a principle designer. If the client does not appoint a principle designer, they will assume all the latter’s responsibilities.

 

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