Feb 23 2007
More than 2.2 million people work in Britain's construction industry, making it the country's biggest employment sector. Despite improvements in recent years, construction still remains one of the most dangerous areas of work. In the last 25 years, over 2,800 people have died from injuries they received as a result of construction work. Many more have been injured or made ill.
In the North East in 2005/06, there were more than 160 major injuries, and more than 409 accidents where people had to take more than three days off work, and four fatal accidents.
But, it is hoped that those statistics will be reduced when new regulations relating to the design, construction and management of buildings - the Construction ( Design and Management ) Regulations ( CDM 2007 ) - come in to force in April this year.
The North East is to host an important conference on Thursday, 22 February, at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel, to look in detail at the new regulations from the point of view of the client - ie the person or organisation commissioning a new build.
Having been developed over the last four years in consultation with the industry and stakeholders, and by consolodating the duties imposed on those in the construction process, CDM 2007 provides a powerful and compelling focus for change.
Clients will be encouraged to play a major part in improving the industry's health and safety performance. At the same time they will benefit from better project cost, time and quality. A key benefit is that good business and good health and safety standards go hand in hand.
The new regulations revise and bring together the existing CDM 1994 and the Construction ( Health Safety and Welfare ) ( CHSW ) Regulations 1996 into a single regulatory package. They will be supported by an Approved Code of Practice ( ACoP ) and industry-approved guidance.
Chris Lucas, an Inspector in HSE's Construction Division, explained more about the regulations and said:
"CDM 2007 is more of a cradle to the grave approach to designing, constructing and managing buildings."
He will explain to clients attending the conference that the cheapest construction option is not always the most cost effective and CDM 2007 makes good business sense.
He added:
"A major strength of CDM 2007 is the fact that everyone involved in developing projects will have clearly defined roles and be aware of the extent of their responsibilities. CDM 2007 is drafted in a way to discourage the all too common and unnecessary bureaucracy. The focus instead will be on effective planning and management of risk, and providing greater flexibility to fit with the vast range of contractual arrangments in the industry."
"CDM 2007 requires the right people for the right job at the right time with a broad aim of managing risks sensibly, reducing paperwork and importanly encouraging teamwork. And clients need to be at the forefront of the process, there to provide a positive influence on what goes on."
"These are important changes, and it's vital that all clients are aware of them."
These sentiments were echoed by Brian Shepherdson, Health and Safety Manager at Northern Rock, and one of the speakers at the conference, He said:
"For any organisation, investing in a new build project is a big financial commitment, but by taking on board the provisions of the new regulations, there is potential to make big savings in the long run.
"The new regulations present a great opportunity for clients to manage their construction projects well, and keep what needs to be done in proportion to the size of the project. If the sector adopts these new regulations in the spirit that it is intended, it will mean better design, safer construction sites and safer, easily maintained buildings."
One of the main changes contained in the regulations will be the appointment of construction, design and management co-ordinators. These will replace the previously appointed planning supervisors, and the new role will be to advise and assist the client, co-ordinate the plannning and design phase and to prepare a health and safety file.
Main points relating to the new regulations are:
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The changes are aimed at giving industry the opportunity to alter behaviour and performance at all levels and so achieve a step change in health and safety performance
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The Construction ( Design and Management ) Regulations 1994 and The Construction ( Health, Safety and Welfare ) Regulations 1996 are joined together into a single regulatory package
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Clients will have a greater role to play, reflecting their influence over health and safety standards throughout projects and beyond
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The effort devoted to planning and managing a project should be in proportion to the risks involved
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The focus must always be on effective planning and the management of risk
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Paperwork should be risk focussed and project specific
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The right information must always be provided to the right people at the right time
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The requirements regarding co-ordination and co-operation, particularly between designers and contractors, are strengthened in order to encourage more integration
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All duty holders must be competent - guidance on the assessment of competency is in the associated Approved Code of Practice ( ACoP )
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The assessment of competency ( both for organisations and individuals ) is simplified to help raise standards and reduce bureaucracy
A further event is planned for May, organised in conjunction with regional safety groups and other organisations which will look at the resposibilities of all duty holders under CDM 2007, including clients, designers, co-ordiantors and principal contractors.