Changes To The CDM Co-ordinators Role

Spencer Lion are professional surveyors in Slough & Windsor, providing structural surveys, building surveys & dealing with party wall matters.

Changes To The CDM Co-ordinators Role

Subject to final parliamentary review new Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations come into force in April 2015.

Under the present regime the client appoints a CDM Co-ordinator to manage the health and safety issues and ensure compliance. Under the new proposals the principal designer (PD) is placed at the heart of construction project safety. In this new role the PD must have the skills and capability to fulfil the role to secure the health and safety of any person affected by the project. Additionally, the PD skills and capabilities must be checked by the client.

The PD must be appointed as early in the design process as possible to plan, manage, monitor and co-ordinate the health and safety during the pre-construction phase. In fulfilling these roles the PD should:-

• Take into account general principles of prevention and content of any health and safety file / construction phase plan.
• Risk elimination and control – to include foreseeable risks in maintaining the structure.
• Designer checks – ensure all other designers comply with their duties to manage risk.
• Co-operation – Ensure all persons working in the pre-construction phase co-ordinate with all the respective parties including the client.
• Health & Safety File – prepare a health and safety file at the end of the project.
• The PD must also assist the client with the provision of pre-construction information to each designer and contractor and also undertake construction phase liaison with the Principal Contractor during the construction phase.

Upshot

The new Principal Designer responsibilities are more extensive than those undertaken by the CDM Co-ordinator. The PD must get involved early on in the project cycle and check compliance with the other designers and co-ordinate.  Putting processes and the right people in the right place should enable the client and the PD improve safety through design.

Where actions are not taken in compliance with CDM 2015 there is a Fee for Intervention scheme which provides the Health and Safety Executive with tools to ensure compliance by both the Principal Designer and other designers.

Experienced Surveyors In Slough & Windsor

Spencer Lion is one of the leading building surveyors in Slough and Windsor. We have been established for over ten years, with more than 25 years of experience, acting for both residential and commercial clients. To find out more or to arrange a surveyor in Slough please call us on 01753 850304 or email info@surveyorsslough.co.uk