HSE announces new timetable for construction design regulations

E021:06 28 February 2006

Today, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced the revised Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations would be implemented in Spring 2007. The Regulations will revise and bring together provisions in the existing CDM Regulations 1994 and the Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) (CHSW) Regulations 1996 into a single regulatory package.

In response to the three-month consultation exercise the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has agreed to postpone implementation from 1 October 2006. The new timetable has the support of the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) CDM Review Working group.

Stephen Williams, HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction said: "The revised CDM Regulations will replace the two key sets of existing regulations. When we began our review of those regulations, the HSC set us some important and challenging objectives. HSE and its partners believe we are well on the way to producing a set of replacement Regulations which will achieve those objectives, but we would be selling ourselves short if we rushed our proposals through.

"We need more time to make sure we get the changes right and the industry also needs to have adequate time to familiarise itself with the finalised CDM package.

Stephen Ratcliffe from the Construction Confederation said: "We recognise the importance of getting these changes right. Moving the proposed implementation date forward gives us more time to prepare guidance for our members, and this will form an important part of the overall package."

HSC discussed a report on the emerging findings of the consultation at its open meeting in December 2005, and decided the new regulations should be supported by an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and industry-produced guidance. To give industry time to plan and prepare for the regulatory changes, HSE intends to make a final draft of the ACoP available 3 months in advance of the Regulations coming into force. In the meantime HSE will be working with the industry to co-ordinate production of industry-specific guidance as agreed by the HSC.

Notes for editors

1. "Revision of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 1994, Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) (CHSW) Regulations 1996, Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and Guidance". 2005 Consultative Document CD200, published by HSE - see www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd200.htm

2. CONIAC advises HSC on the protection of people at work and others from hazards to health and safety within the building, civil engineering, engineering and construction industries. CONIAC was reconstituted at the beginning of 2004, with a smaller membership and a new approach. The new approach reflects the desire of HSC to work in partnership with intermediary groups in the construction industry and to take forward the new HSC Strategy. CONIAC has six sub groups to take forward its workplan. These sub groups align closely with the aims of the Construction Divisions Priority Programme.

Designer Working Party
Safety Working Party
Working Well Together Steering Group
Occupational Health Working Party
Worker Engagement Working Party
CDM Regulations Review Working Party
See www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/iacs/coniac/index.htm

3. "Revitalising Health and Safety in Construction". 2002 Discussion Document, published by HSE, see www.hse.gov.uk/consult/2002.htm

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