Getting ready for new CDM Regulations

Health and Safety Commission's proposals for a single set of Regulations, and supporting guidance, covering construction work in Great Britain.

The HSE has published a Consultative Document (http://www.hse.gov.uk) which sets out the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) proposals for a single set of Regulations, and supporting guidance, covering construction work in Great Britain.

The proposed Regulations would consolidate and revise provisions in the Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations 1994 and the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) (CHSW) Regulations 1996, which implemented the Temporary or Mobile Construction Sites Directive (TMCS) (1992/57/EEC).

Reasons for replacing the old legislation and what is intended for the future are included in the document.

The new regulations will follow and come into play during 2006.

So, what's new? The clients' role is to become even more centre-stage; the new regulations replace not only the old 1994 CDM Regulations but also the Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996; aim to simplify and clarify what duty holders need to do, so they can easily identify and understand their role; the HSE is looking for the industry to respond in a holistic manner.

CIRIA's CDM guidance, training material and CDs have been regularly updated and widely disseminated across industry for over a decade and, in light of the HSE Consultative Document, will need to be updated and/or replaced once more.

To consider what should be done and how, a small working party of CIRIA Core member representatives will meet this summer.

To find out more or to get involved, visit http://www.ciria.org/cdm or contact Alan Gilbertson at CIRIA, Classic House, 174-180 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP.

(T) 020 7549 3300; (F) 020 7253 0523; (E) alan.gilbertson@ciria.org.

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