Builders told to remain vigilant as CDM 2015 commemorates first anniversary

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Joanna Mulgrew, Marketing & Product Development Director at HBXL Building Software reminds builders to maintain their hold on their health and safety obligations as CDM 2015 reaches its year milestone…

29 February 2016: One year on since its introduction, builders are being reminded about maintaining a firm grip on their health and safety obligations and in particular rules related to Construction Design Management (CDM) 2015.

CDM 2015 came into force on 6 April 2015 bringing a raft of new measures designed to improve health and safety on site. But one of the main misconceptions was who the new regulations would apply to.

The fact is CDM 2015 applies to all and includes small to medium sized build firms.

When introduced, the first main change was that the CDM Co-ordinator (or CDMC) role under CDM 2007 was replaced by Principal Designer (PD).

This particular change has however raised a large number of queries and in particularly questions about who can carry out the role of the PD.

Joanna Mulgrew, product director at HBXL says the PD must be a designer, architect, consulting engineer, a quantity surveyor or anyone who specifies and alters designs as part of their work.

The PD can also be clients, contractors and tradespeople if they carry out design work or arrange for, or instruct persons under their control to do so. They must also have the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience to carry out all the functions and responsibilities assigned to them.

Joanna is all too aware of non-compliance with the vast majority of the software developer’s customers falling under the small to medium sized bracket.

Joanna said: “It’s easy to think that for smaller build businesses the CDM rules don’t apply, but the reality is all build firms come under its jurisdiction.

“Now that CDM 2015 has been in operation for 12 months means builders cannot plead innocence and that they didn’t know what the new regulations meant.

“All builders have to make sure they are now fully up to speed or risk facing the scrutiny of the HSE, with possible fines, site shut down or even prosecution.

“Non-compliance really is non-negotiable as first and foremost it places undue risk on staff and members of the public.”

One other new rule which raised a lot of eyebrows was the need to provide a construction phase plan for all projects.

This must record the health and safety arrangements for the construction phase and site rules as well as the arrangements for managing the significant health and safety risks associated with the construction phase of a project.

Joanna is keen to point out a common misperception on whether maintenance work or smaller jobs need a Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan (CPH & SP). The reality is under CDM 2015 every construction project should have one but proportionate to the risks involved.

It means whether it’s the installation of a bathroom, replacing a boiler, plastering a room, building a porch or an extension, an appropriate CPH & SP will be needed.

Joanna added: “The vast majority of builders would have done this and put in place new work methods and systems to make sure they were compliant. However everyone has had long enough to put in place suitable arrangements in order to comply and the HSE will not take ignorance as an excuse.”

Joanna’s concerns are well founded with the latest data showing that in Jun / Jul 2015 Fee For Intervention invoices totalled £609,312 in the construction sector alone, so the need for compliance couldn’t be more plain.

Joanna said: “For many, the introduction of CDM 2015 might seem like an irritating distraction but builders have a legal obligation to demonstrate that they take their responsibilities seriously.

“Those worried about what looks like a minefield of rules and regulations can rest easy by making the most of tools which keeps them right up to date with all things related to health and safety.

“This includes the latest version of our Health & Safety Xpert 2016 software which not only saves them time but money and the anxiety of whether they are compliant with the latest regulations and in particular the new CDM 2015.

“Many smaller building firms thought the new regulations wouldn’t affect them but it’s imperative they take CDM seriously.

“Builders definitely don’t want to put themselves at risk of hefty fines or in the worse-case scenario of a stint behind bars!”

For further information on HBXL’s Health & Safety Xpert 2016 please call 0117 916 7898 or visit www.hbxl.co.uk

Joanna Mulgrew

Marketing & Product Development Director

HBXL Building Software

0117 916 7898

sales@hbxl.co.uk

www.hbxl.co.uk/cdm2015

www.hbxl.co.uk/principaldesigners

https://twitter.com/HBXL

1 COMMENT

  1. The article states that the CDM Co-ordinator was replaced by the Principal Designer role. This is incorrect. The CDM Co-ordinator role was removed and a new role introduced called the Principal Designer.

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