CDM Co-ordinator

Regulation 14 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 stipulates that:

“Where a project is notifiable, the Client shall appoint a person ("the CDM co-ordinator") to perform the duties specified in Regulations 20 and 21 as soon as is practicable after initial design work or other preparation for construction work has begun”

CDM 2007 Regulations ACOP L144 Paragraph 15(a) (b) stipulates that:

Except where the project is for a domestic Client, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) must be notified of projects where construction work is expected to:

• Last more than 30 working days; or
• Involve more than 500 person days, for example 50 people working for over 10 days

 However, CDM 2007 Regulations applies to all construction work irrespective of whether it is notifiable or not. Contractors have a duty under the Regulations even when carrying out works for a domestic client. Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the CDM 2007 Regulations apply to all construction work while Part 3 only applies to notifiable construction projects.

The importance of engaging a competent CDM Co-ordinator for your notifiable construction projects cannot be over emphasized. In as much as it is obligatory, there is also an added advantage of having the interest of the whole life cost of a project safe guarded from the concept stage while your projects are executed without a breach of the regulations.

The continuity of a construction project can be hindered if a notice of a breach of the regulation is served by an HSE Inspector. It is therefore important for Clients commissioning construction work to fully understand their duties under the regulations.

 By engaging a competent CDM Co-ordinator, the Client has fulfilled the requirement of who will be able to fulfil, guide, assist and advise on varying issues ranging from:

• Notifying the enforcing authority (HSE or ORR)
• Assessing the competence of duty holders (Designers, Principal Contractor and Contractor) to be engaged by the Client
• Preparing a Pre-Construction Information
• Reviewing the health and safety aspects of the design (design reviews)
• Assessing the suitability of the Construction Phase Plan and advising Client on suitability
• Preparing a Health and Safety File for the project

 We are also very competent to advise and guide our Clients in respect of Site Waste Management Plans as required under the Site Waste Management Plan Regulations 2008.
A Site Waste Management Plan is required for projects over £300,000 (excluding VAT) while updating requirements also differs when projects reaches the £500,000 threshold.

 There are clear requirements of who is competent to undertake the role of a CDM Co-ordinator under the CDM 2007 Regulations and we can confidently say you have arrived at the right destination. Our experience in this role cuts across buildings (new builds or refurbishment), highway, rail e.t.c.

Our Consultants have a technical bias with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree as a minimum, on the CDM-C register administered by the Association for Project Safety (RMaPS), CDM2007.org certification (M-CDM-C) administered by the London Borough of Bromley and are constantly involved with the requisite Continuing professional Development.