If you work in the construction industry, either as a principal contractor, developer, client or sub-contractor you should by now be aware of the new CDM (2007) regulations.

However, in order to clarify the differences with the new regulations here is a simple explanation of the main changes :

• Under CDM 2007, the role of Planning Supervisors no longer exists - the role is now called CDM Co-ordinator and has subtle differences to the old Planning Supervisor role.
• CDM Co-ordinators must be competent - this means they should have suitable Health and Safety and construction/civils experience / qualifications and/or professional status.
• Anyone contemplating undertaking the role of CDM Co-ordinator should be wary unless they can demonstrate competence to carry out the role.
• Many people who previously put themselves forward as Planning Supervisors are now unwilling to undertake the role of CDM Co-ordinator as they are not sufficiently competent. Beware - the HSE can prosecute CDM clients for not appointing a competent CDM Co-ordinator.
• All Construction projects (notifiable and non-notifiable) have to comply with CDM 2007 apart from domestic work and oil rigs (and some local authority work). The definition of construction now includes demolition.
• A CDM Co-ordinator must be appointed for notifiable projects only.
• The requirement to notify the HSE is applicable for projects:
  - 30 working days duration or
  - 500 person days duration (not 500 manhours anymore)
• The client must now sign the F10 form. The F10 is freely downloadable on the HSE website.
• The CDM client has a requirement under CDM 2007 for taking a more active and accountable role for the safety on their projects (for example, a responsibility for ensuring adequate welfare facilities are on site) and for ensuring the competence of the other parties in the CDM process ( i.e. CDM Co-ordinator, designer, contractors).
• The Construction Health Safety and Welfare Regulations no longer exist. They have been incorporated into CDM 2007.
• There is no longer a pre-tender Health and Safety plan, this has been replaced with the requirement for the client to supply a pre-construction information pack, this information now forms part of the Health and Safety file along with the principal contractors safety plan for the project. The Health and Safety file post construction requirement remains.

There is no requirement for these two files to be drafted for non-notifiable projects (safety on non-notifiable projects is managed through suitable method statements and risk assessments etc. only).

If you require further details on the CDM regulations please ask your Health and Safety consultant for a copy of our documents CDM GUI1 and CDM GUI 2 which provide a thorough explanation of the CDM process.