Member Article

CDM Regulations - All Change, according to Ben Hunter of Silverstone Building Consultancy

A CDM-C (Construction Design Management Co-coordinator) plays a vital role in any construction project. They provide a statutory role offering advice to the client on matters relating to health and safety during the design process and throughout the phases of construction. There are significant benefits that a CDM-C can bring in helping a project finish on time, within budget and fit for purpose.

Under the CDM2007 Regulations a CDM-C must be appointed on any non-domestic construction project lasting more than 30 working days or involving more than 500 person days. Silverstone Building Consultancy has acted as CDM-C on numerous projects on behalf of clients. The role involves assisting the client in the appointment of competent designers and contractors, ensuring that adequate arrangements and appropriate timescales have been afforded for the co-ordination of the design work, planning and all other construction preparation to identify and reduce hazards and risks at an early stage.

In our experience having a competent CDM-C who is appointed early enough can really make a difference and add real value to a project. The contractors tendering the works will also have a clear brief as to what is expected of them in terms of safety measures avoiding unnecessary costs being added to tender prices. There is currently a consultation process ongoing to decide on the replacement of CDM2007 with a revised set of regulations proposed for introduction in 2015. The key proposals put forward include significant structural simplification of the regulations, the replacement of the approved code of practice with targeted guidance and the replacement of the CDM-C role with that of ‘Principal Designer’. The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) suggests the reason for removing the CDM-C role is that their research too frequently suggests that the appointment of a CDM-C is often made late, with unsuitable resource and quite often considered an after thought to the design process.

The introduction of the delayed revised CDM regulations due to come into force in April 2015 will be met with great interest by all involved in the construction industry particularly with regards to the replacement of the CDM-C Role with the that of the ‘Principal Designer’.

Silverstone Building Consultancy will be pleased to discuss the proposed revisions to the CDM Regulations in further detail and outline some of the other key amendments and what these will mean for clients, consultants and contractors alike.

Ben Hunter is Director at Silverstone Building Consultancy.

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