04 CDM Regulations Flashcards
Why do the CDM Regulations exist?
First introduced in 1994 (later revised in 2007 and 2015) following publication of a European Directive on minimum health and safety standards for temporary or mobile construction sites
What is an F10 notice and when would you use it?
The form used to notify the HSE that a project has met the criteria for notification under the CDM Regulations
What information is contained on an F10 notice?
- Dates - date of notice and commencement of work,
- Names and contact details - site, LA, client, PD, PC, other designers and contractors
- Works - description, duration, number contractors, number of workers
- Declaration - signed by or on behalf of the client that he is aware of his duties
Who signs the F10 notice?
The client or a party appointed on their behalf
In terms of notifying the HSE, what happens if there is an extension to a non-notifiable project?
If the project is not notifiable at first but subsequent changes mean it fits the criteria for notification, an F10 must be submitted as soon as possible
What are the timescales for submitting an F10?
F10 forms should be submitted as soon as practicable before the construction phase begins - the HSE state they take 10 days to process the form
What is a PCIP?
The PCIP is a collation of all the information in the client’s possession, or reasonably obtainable on behalf of the client, relevant to the works regarding the risks involved
What information would you expect to find in a PCIP?
- The project, programme, team, location of existing records and plans, whether completed works will be used as a workplace etc.
- Client’s considerations and management requirements (communication, site security, welfare, transport, permits to work, emergency procedures etc.)
- Environmental restrictions and existing on site risks
- Significant design and construction hazards
- Description of the format and conditions of the Health and Safety File
What is a construction phase plan?
The Construction Phase Plan records arrangements for managing significant H&S risks specific to the project - the PCIP forms the basis for this
NB: it should not just contain generic risk assessments
What information would you expect to find in a construction phase plan?
- Description of the project, key dates and key members of the project team
- The H&S aims for the project
- Site rules
- Arrangements to ensure cooperation between the project team
- Arrangements for involving works
- Site induction procedures
- Welfare facilities details
- Fire and emergency procedures
- Control of any specific site risk where relevant (listed in Schedule 3, e.g. work near power lines, risk of drowning, work on in underground earthworks etc.)
What is a health and safety file?
The H&S File is a file containing relevant health and safety information to be taken into account during any subsequent project
Is a health and safety file required on all projects?
Only required when there is more than one contractor
Who is responsible for preparing the health and safety file under the CDM Regulations 2015?
Principal Designer
How detailed should the health and safety file be and why?
Only needs to include information relevant to the planning of future construction work (refurbishing, cleaning etc.), as too much material may hide crucial details about risks
What information would you expect to find in a health and safety file?
- Brief description of works carried out
- Residual (remaining) hazards and how they have been addressed
- Key structural principles (e.g. safe working loads)
- Hazardous materials used (e.g. lead paint)
- Special arrangements for removing or dismantling plant/equipment
- H&S info about equipment for cleaning/maintaining structure
- Nature, location and markings of significant services (e.g. underground cables, gas supplies etc.)
- As-built drawings
What is the purpose of the CDM Regulations 2015?
CDM Regs 2015 intend to ensure H&S issues are properly considered during a project’s development so the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced
What were the reasons for the latest revision of the CDM Regulations?
- Belief that the co-ordination function in the pre-construction phase was not always embedded in the project, resulting in additional costs with little added value
- The persistence of unacceptable standards, particularly on smaller sites
What recent changes have been made to the CDM Regulations?
- Replacement of the role of CDMC with a new role of ‘Principal Designer’
- Removing the exemption for domestic clients, but passing their CDM duties to the contractor
- Changing the threshold for appointment of co-ordinators (i.e. Principal Contractors and Principal Designers) to be where there is more than one contractor
- Separating the threshold for co-ordination from that of notifying the HSE
- Splitting competence assessment into component parts of skill, knowledge, training and experience (and organisational capability if it relates to an organisation)
When do the CDM Regulations 2015 come into force?
6th April 2015, however if a CDMC had already been appointed and the construction phase had started, the client must appoint a Principal Designer to replace the CDMC by 6th October 2015
When do the CDM Regulation 2015 apply?
Apply to all construction work, i.e. the carrying out of any building, civil engineering or engineering construction work, including:
- Construction, alteration, conversion or fitting out
- Renovation, repair, redecoration, upkeep or other maintenance
- Preparation including site clearance, excavations and investigations
- Demolition/dismantling
- M&E install, commissioning, decommissioning, maintenance and repair
When do the CDM Regulations 2015 require a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor to be appointed?
When there is more than one contractor
What is the implication if a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor are not appointed when they should have been?
If a commercial client fails to appoint a PD or PC, the commercial client must carry out their duties
If a domestic client fails to appoint a PD or PC, the designer in control of the pre-construction phase becomes the PD and the contractor in control of the construction phase becomes the PC
When is a project notifiable under the CDM Regulations 2015?
If the construction phase is likely to:
- Last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 works working simultaneously at any point, or
- Exceed 500 person days