Industry is being asked to provide feedback on the proposals to replace the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007).
Key changes being proposed include:
- replacement of the CDM co-ordinator role with a principal designer role within the project team;
- introducing a duty on information, instruction, training and supervision to replace the duty to assess competence;
- removal of the domestic client exemption and transfer of these limited duties to the contractor/designer; and
- replacement of the ACoP with tailored guidance.
HSE’s construction chief inspector Heather Bryant said: “Despite recent improvements, construction can still be a dangerous industry and the CDM Regulations are at the heart of how we are working to improve safety.
“The proposed changes are aimed at ensuring more people come home safe and well from their work and making the law simpler and clearer for employers to understand, particularly small businesses.
“The Regulations and supporting guidance need to help those working on building sites to get health and safety right. That’s why it is important that we get a good response to the consultation, helping us build on the great support we’ve had from the industry during the development of these proposals.”
The Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) has worked with HSE over the last two years to develop the proposals.
David Lambert, chair of the health and safety expert panel of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) said: "The launch of this long awaited consultation, albeit for a shorter duration than we would have liked, is welcome and ICE will be engaging closely with its members and the HSE to ensure its response reflects the concerns of civil engineers and ensure the final regulations are effective and workable. The main issues continue to surround the transformation to a principal designer - which has implications for relationships on construction projects - and how competence will be addressed. I encourage members to contribute to the consultation and also share views with ICE to help inform its response.”
The consultation is open from 31 March until 6 June 2014. The full document can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd261.htm
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