CDM Do's and Don'ts

The term 'designer' has a very broad meaning in CDM. Not only does it include architects and consulting engineers, but also quantity surveyors, building service engineers, temporary works engineers and others who specify the "whats" and the "hows" in detail.

There are a lot of misconceptions about CDM, so let's start with what designers don't have to do:

• CDM does not require designers to stifle their creativity, limit their design freedom or place safety above aesthetics;
• CDM does not require the elimination of attractive features such as atria;
• CDM does not require designers to choose "the safest form of construction"  (eg. choosing between concrete, steel or timber frameworks) (But see specific duties below for what designers do have to do);
• CDM does not require designers to have a detailed knowledge of the construction process, or to specify standard construction processes or precautionary measures to the contractor; (But see below for what designers do need to do)
• CDM does not require designers to take into account unforeseeable hazards;
• CDM does not require designers to exercise any health and safety management functions over contractors or sub-contract designers (who often have designer duties themselves)

CDM does place certain specific duties directly on designers:

• to eliminate hazards where feasible (eg. if specifying roof lights specify non-fragile materials);
• to reduce risks from those hazards that cannot be eliminated (eg. specify designs and coatings for materials at height to reduce the need/frequency for replacement, cleaning and re-painting);
• to provide information on residual risks if they are significant (eg. if a set sequence of assembly or demolition is required to maintain structural stability) and contribute to the provision of information that other designers (eg. Structural engineers) may require for development of the design.
• to consider how the building will be cleaned, maintained and ultimately demolished
• to ensure that designs for workplaces meet the requirements of the Workplace Regulations

And in order to discharge these duties a competent designer will need sufficient knowledge and experience of the construction process. For instance:

• to know what the potential hazards will be during the construction, maintenance, cleaning and dismantling of your design. To satisfy themselves that there is at least one safe way of constructing their design. (Your client doesn't want a design that can't be built or can only be built at disproportionate expense!)

If this involves seeking specialist advice, or working with a construction partner, then so be it.

The 'Designer' section of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 Approved Code of Practice L144 provides more explanation of the role of the designer.