Q&A - Construction, Design and Management Regulations

QUESTION

Dear Sir

Dear Editor, can you please advise me on the rules and regulations relating to CDM (Construction, Design and Management Regulations)

Name Withheld

ANSWER

If you are about to alter, maintain, or extend a building or structure, thinking of putting up a new one or demolishing an existing one, then the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 place a number of specific duties on you.

The extent of these varies with the type and project involved, and you may be required to appoint an adviser entitled CDM Coordinator before significant detailed design work starts.

Clients have a greater responsibility under the new Regulations for the overall health and safety on construction sites. The new Regulations, do not allow Clients to appoint agents to undertake the Client duties for them, ensuring that any parties to a project cannot shirk their health and safety management responsibilities.

Failure to comply with the Regulations is a criminal offence.

Julian Davies, Director,

Earl Kendrick