CDM 2007 Regulations Questions
What are these regulations about?
Do the CDM 2007 Regulations apply to all construction projects?
Do the CDM 2007 Regulations apply to property developers?
I have heard that competence is a key issue in CDM 2007 regulations. Why is this?
Answers
What are these regulations about?
The CDM 2007 Regulations are about focusing attention on effective planning and management of construction projects, from design concept onwards. The aim is for health and safety considerations to be treated as a normal part of a project’s development, not an after thought or bolt on extra. The object of the new CDM 2007 Regulations are to reduce the risk of harm to those that have to build, use and maintain structures.
Do the CDM 2007 Regulations apply to all construction projects?
CDM 2007 applies to all construction projects where people are at work. The Regulations are divided into five parts:
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Part 1 deals with the application of the Regulations and definitions.
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Part 2 covers general duties that apply to all construction projects.
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Part 3 contains additional duties that only apply to notifiable construction projects, i.e. those lasting more that 30 days or involving more than 500 person days of construction work.
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Part 4 contains practical requirements that apply to all construction sites.
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Part 5 contains the transitional arrangements and revocations.
Do the CDM 2007 Regulations apply to property developers?
Yes. Property developers are carrying out work in the furtherance of a business, and therefore they are ‘clients’ under the Regulations.
I have heard that competence is a key issue in CDM 2007 regulations. Why is this?
CDM 2007 competence is about being able to perform your health and safety requirements and avoiding contravening health and safety law. There is justifiable emphasis on competence, because it is generally recognised that competent people are safer. The duties in the CDM 2007 Regulations work both ways. Persons making appointments have to take reasonable steps to ensure that those who are appointed are competent for what they are expected to do. Likewise, those accepting such appointments should only do so if they are competent to undertake the activity.
The CDM 2007 ACOP provides practical guidance to assist people in assessing competence. The advice given in the ACOP will make the assessment of corporate and individual competence easier.
