Accidents and ill health in the UK construction industry are disproportionately high which is why the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 are designed to focus attention on planning and management throughout a project from design onwards. This ensures that health and safety considerations are treated as an essential and integrated part and not an after thought. The regulations place specific duties on all those involved in construction and apply to all construction work however small.

They place duties on Clients to:

  • Check the competence and resources of appointees
  • Ensure that there are suitable management arrangements made for the project and ensure these are maintained
  • Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors
  • Ensure sufficient time is allowed for each stage of the project and that contractors are given a minimum period for preparation and planning before starting work on site

It is likely that the Client will require a construction professional to assist him in fulfilling these obligations even on small projects. However, once a project is seen as likely to exceed 30 days or 500 person days of construction work then the Client must appoint a competent CDM Co-ordinator to assist him.

The CDM Co-ordinator is a key Client adviser with respect to project health and safety, with defined responsibilities under the CDM Regulations 2007, as follows:

  • Identifying, collecting and communicating pre-construction information to designers and contractors
  • Co-ordinating health and safety aspects of the design work and promote co-operation
  • Facilitating good communications between the Client designers and contractors
  • Liaising with the Principal Contractor regarding on-going design and information for both the Construction Phase Plan and Health and Safety File
  • Preparing or Updating the Health and Safety File
  • Notifying the HSE

WYG Management Services has a team of CDM Co-ordinators throughout the UK who have the competence to deal with construction projects of whatever size or complexity. It is worth noting that if the CDM Co-ordinator or Principal Contractors are not formally appointed in writing early in the project then these duties will default to the Client.

CDM Training

WYG Management Services are especially well placed to provide practical CDM training based on experience, and are able to deliver CDM training for project staff whether it is CDM general awareness training or specialised training for CDM Co-ordinators, Designers or Contractors.