The new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 came into force on 6 April 2015 and represent a significant change in the way health and safety is managed in the construction industry. The key changes in the new Regulations are:
- The CDM Co-ordinator role has been replaced by the ‘Principal Designer’ – clients are required to appoint a PD for all projects involving more than one contractor on site.
- Clients must appoint both a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor and will have a duty to ensure that both the PD and PC comply with their duties. A Principal Designer and Principal Contractor will be required for all projects with more than one ‘trade’ contractor on site.
- Principal Designer duties include identifying and controlling risks, assisting the client in the production of Pre-Construction Information and the preparation of the Health and Safety file. Principal Contractor duties include the planning, management and co-ordination of the construction phase of the project.
- The client is to ensure that a Construction Phase Plan, provided by the Contractor or Principal Contractor, is in place before works commence.
- Notification to the HSE is required for any project exceeding 30 construction days with 20 or more workers or if the project exceeds 500 person working days.
- Duties to be applicable to domestic projects.
Aderyn Building Consultancy are Registered Members of the Association for Project Safety (RMaPS).