Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007- Overarching messages
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) apply if you are involved in construction and will help you to improve health and safety in the industry.
The aims of CDM are to have the right people for the right job at the right time to manage risks on site, reduce paperwork and encourage teamwork.
The focus is on effective planning and managing risks.
Client messages:
If you are having building work done, you will have duties under CDM - unless you are a domestic client.
Any construction work that is expected to last more that 30 working days, or involve more than 500 person days needs to be notified to HSE (see below). In this case, you are also required to appoint a CDM Co-ordinator and Principal Contractor to the project.
By choosing the right people for the job and appointing them early, your team can make sure that your project is safe to build, safe to use, safe to maintain and deliver good value.
Invest in your team, not in paper. Give them enough time and resource and you will get the building you want, when you want it, and on budget.
CDM co-ordinator messages:
As the CDM co-ordinator, if you have the right skills and experience, you can make a difference.
You are the key advisor to the client and the catalyst for effective communication and co-ordination throughout the project.
You should make sure the right information goes to the right people at the right time. This includes notification of the project to HSE (see below).
Designer messages:
If you design or specify building work, then you are a designer with new duties under CDM.
Competent designers eliminate hazards and reduce risks – manage the risk, not the paperwork.
Design for safety and health for those who build, use, maintain and demolish – it should be safer by design.
Tell others about significant risks which remain – give the right information to the right people at the right time
Principal contractor messages:
Under the CDM Regulations you should be involved in the project at an early stage, working to designs that are safer and healthier to build, receiving more relevant information and less paperwork.
It will be easier for you to show the client that you and your contractors have the right skills and experience for the job.
Manage health and safety on site – manage the risk, not the paperwork.
Contractor messages:
Under the CDM Regulations you should be involved in the project at an early stage, working to designs that are safer and healthier to build, receiving more relevant information and less paperwork.
It will be easier for you to show the principal contractor, or your client, that you and your subcontractors have the right skills and experience for the job.
Manage health and safety on site – manage the risk, not the paperwork.
Worker messages:
The CDM Regulations will help make construction workplaces safer and healthier with good welfare facilities from the start.
You have a role to show that you have the right skills and experience to work without injury and ill health.
For further information:
Further information on duties under CDM 2007 and general information on construction health and safety is available:
