The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM Regulations) are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during the development of all construction projects so that the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is eliminated or reduced. The latest revision came into force on 6 April 2015.
In terms of the organisation of projects, both Domestic and Commercial, the most significant of these changes is the replacement of the role of CDM Co-ordinator with a new role of ‘Principal Designer’ (PD). The role of Principal Designer is now analogous to that of the Principal Contractor during the Construction Phase and includes:
- Planning, managing and monitoring the Pre Construction Phase.
- Ensuring risks are eliminated or controlled through design work.
- Passing information on to the Principal Contractor.
- Ensuring co-operation and co-ordination.
- Ensuring Designers comply with their duties.
- Assisting the Client in preparing Pre Construction Information.
- Preparing the Health and Safety File.
The Commercial Clients also have increased statutory responsibilities including making suitable arrangements for managing a project, this includes:
- Making sure other duty holders are appointed
- Sufficient time and resources are allocated
- Relevant information is prepared and provided to other duty holders
- The Principal Designer and Principal Contractor carry out their duties
- Welfare Facilities are provided
- The project is notified where applicable
- The Construction Phase Plan is appropriate.
Steda Consultants have undertaken the role of Planning Supervisor under the 1994 Regulations, the role of CDM Co-ordinator under the 2007 Regulations and we now support the Principal Designers and Clients under the 2015 Regulations.
Steda’s Consultants have undertaken the recently demised role of CDM Co-ordinator on many £100m+ projects. Clients included numerous Local Authorities, Ministry of Justice, Defence Estates, Ministry of Defence, US Department of Defense, Highways Agency, Jan Fletcher Developments, Wilson Bowden, Johnny Johnson Housing, EMIS, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Airedale Hospital, Fieldhead Hospital, Mid Yorks Hospital Trust, Nexus Rail, West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, Leeds Bradford Airport, Robin Hood Airport, Rentokil Initial, Harewood House, Leeds Town Hall, Ripon Castle, Lancaster Castle and Scarborough Business.
We have undertaken the newer roles of Principal Designer Assistant and Client Advisor under CDM2015 for numerous Domestic Clients, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Crematoriums, small – medium – large scale Developers, IBI Group, BOX Architects, Harewood House Trust, W R Dunn & Co. Ltd, various Local Authorities, Tees Esk & Wear Valley NHS Trust, Mid Yorks Hospital Trust, EMIS, US Department of Defense, Fosters Bakery, Cairn Hotel Group etc.
Under CDM2015 we provide the services of:
Principal Designer Assistant
As Principal Designer Assistant Steda offers a bespoke service, tailored to suite the Principal Designers requirements.
The services include:
- Production of the Pre-Construction Information document
- Production of and management of Hazard Registers proportionate to the projects hazard and risk profile.
- Production of the initial Health and Safety File
- Attendance at Design Team and Project Meetings
- Competency assessments of the Design Team
Client Advisor
As Client Advisor Steda offers a bespoke service, tailored to suite the Clients requirements.
- Competency assessments of the Design Team
- Competency assessments of the Principal Contractor
- Audits of Principal Design Team
- Audits of Principal Contractor
- Assistance with the generation of Pre Construction Information
- Notifications to the HSE as required.
Our ability to quickly understand the Client and their requirements, allied with our knowledge, skills, experience, practical application and communication of relevant statutory requirements and best practice, we are able to consistently add value to projects, whether large or small, simple or complex, domestic or commercial.