The Construction Design and Management Regulations cover the management of health, safety and also welfare when it comes to carrying out construction projects. The CDM applies to all construction and building work including demolition, new build, refurbishment, repair maintenance and much more.
No matter what your role is in the construction industry, the CDM regulations aim to improve health and safety in the industry. Throughout this blog, we will be discussing why CDM regulations are so important as well as a summary of the regulations and more. For more information, please read on.
Why Are CDM Regulations (2015) So Important?
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Statistics show that every year, thousands of construction workers suffer from ill health related to work. In fact, the fatal injury rate in the construction industry is three times higher than in other industries.
These are only some of the reasons why adhering to Construction Design and Management Regulations is so important. Following the CDM regulations ensures that any possible risks are kept to a minimum as well as protecting employees and site visitors from harm.
It is a legal requirement to comply with these regulations. All construction projects must meet the CDM 2015 requirements. The CDM regulations improve overall health and safety in the industry by helping you to:
- Plan your work so that the risks involved are managed sensibly from start to finish
- Have the correct amount of staff for the right job at the correct time
- Coordinate your work with others
- Have the correct information about the risks
- Communicate this information effectively with other employees who need to know
- Interact with other workers informing them about the risks and how they are being managed
The Health and Safety Executive is a national regulator that ensures a workplace's overall health and safety. The HSE aims to prevent any work-related deaths, injuries and ill health in Great Britain.
It is a legal requirement to follow these regulations - failure to do so can result in fines being handed out and legal action being taken against the company.
Summary of The CDM Regulations
No matter where the site is located within the UK, wherever construction work is being performed should always abide by the CDM regulations. It is important that all duty-holders work closely as a team and share information about potential risks discussing how they will be managed.
The CDM regulations were developed to help prevent any possible accidents on the construction site. If you aren't too sure if the CDM regulations apply to you, then continue reading to find out.
The Health and Safety Executive states that wherever a maintenance job involves the construction process or requires construction skills then it is likely to fall under the term ‘construction work’
An example of this is the installation of a heating system. If the contractor is asked to install a new heating system using the same boiler, this will be covered under the CDM regulations. The reason for this is that installing a new heating system using the same boiler involves construction-type tasks - for example, drilling into the structure of the building.
Beaconrisk Can Help You Comply With CDM Regulations
Here at Beaconrisk, we offer a variety of health and safety courses. Thanks to our extensive experience, we have helped many clients protect themselves, their workforce and their business since 2009.
We aim to deliver simple, realistic health, environmental and safety management to ensure that you are compliant. We offer a CDM awareness course that covers the concepts of regulations and roles that are required for a construction project.
Beaconrisk can provide you guidance and support when helping you to gain accreditation (CHAS accreditation) that can help comply with CDM regulations. The CHAS accreditation aims to save you time and money during the application process when you are applying for work.