Q: Is the CDM co-ordinator the same as the old planning supervisor?
A: No. Although the duties are broadly similar the role involves a very different approach from the old role of planning supervisor. The co-ordinator is the facilitator that ensures that the project team cooperate and coordinate their work with respect health and safety and advises the client. The CDM co-ordinator, needs different skills and competencies to make sure these duties are met. In particular, they must advise the client on how to meet the client’s duties under CDM 2007, and assist them in doing so. The role of CDM co-ordinator provides the client with a project adviser on health and safety management, and ensuring effective planning of the work, to assist with the appointment of competent contractors, to ensure the proper co-ordination of the design process and to prepare the health and safety file.
Q: When is a Project Notifiable?
A: A project is notifiable if the works are anticipated to last more than 30 working days or will involve more than 500 person days.
Q: Does CDM Apply to my project?
A: CDM applies to ALL construction works no matter if they are notifiable or not. Non-notifiable works place duties on the Client, Designers and Contractors with additional duties and dutyholders coming into play for Notifiable projects. If the works are deemed notifiable then a CDM Co-ordinator and Principle Contractor MUST be appointed.
Q: What would happen if I dont appoint a CDM Co-ordinator or Principal Contractor?
A: If you don't appoint a CDM Co-ordinator or Principal Contractor for notifiable projects or even in the case of a late appointment these roles and the duties required of them become the responsibility of the Client.
Q: Do the CDM Regulations apply to projects with a domestic client?
A: Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the CDM Regulations apply to projects for a domestic client, but the domestic client has no duties. This is because domestic clients do not fall within the definition of a ‘client’ in Regulation 2(1).
Q: When should the CDM co-ordinator be appointed?
A: The CDM co-ordinator should be appointed as early as possible as but no later than after initial design work is completed. ‘Initial design work’ includes feasibility studies to enable them to decide whether or not to proceed with the project, and any work necessary to identify the client’s requirements or possible constraints on the development. The CDM co-ordinator must be appointed early because the role is crucial for the effective planning and establishment of health and safety management arrangements from the start of the project. The CDM co-ordinator MUST be appointed before detailed design work begins.
Q: What actually comprises Construction Work?
A: A project is not only the construction work, but also includes all the planning, design, and management or other work until the end of the construction phase.
Q: What about Demolition?
A: A plan detailing the arrangements for how demolition work will be carried out must be prepared before demolition or dismantling work begins. This applies to all demolition work regardless of size, duration or whether the job is notifiable. Demolition means the deliberate pulling down, destruction or taking apart of a structure, or a substantial part of a structure. Similarly, dismantling will be considered to be the taking down or taking apart of all, or a substantial part of a structure. Construction operations such as the making of openings for doors, windows, services or removing non structural elements such as, stripping cladding, removing roof tiles and similar operations is not considered to be demolition or dismantling in themselves. Where these operations are combined with other operations they may together form demolition and dismantling projects. The erection and taking down of a scaffold used for the purposes of construction is construction work. The striking of a scaffold will not be considered to be the demolition or dismantling of a structure.
Q: When should be Demolition Works be notified?
A: The notification (submission of F10 to the HSE) of a demolition project is the same as it is for construction i.e. If the works are anticipated to last more than 30 working days or involve more than 500 person days.
If you have a question regarding CDM or health and safety, send us an email at cdm@cdmscotland.co.uk or contact us on 01292 619742.
