Part 1: What's CDM got to do with us?

It is probably fair to say that some businesses will not have given much thought to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) in the past. After all, CDM applies to architects, structural engineers, builders and others involved in the planning and management of construction projects, rather than "most businesses".

However, this would be forgetting a major part of any non-domestic building maintenance or construction project - the client!

Changes to the CDM regulations, coming into effect on 6 April 2007, appear to have awakened many businesses to the fact that they DO have responsibilities for health and safety when it comes to building alterations or other construction work being performed on their premises.

In part, awareness of this has been raised by those opposed to the changes. Some small business organisations have suggested that CDM (2007) takes the client from a position of near-immunity, to them having to become "experts" in managing health and safety on construction projects.

In actual fact, non-domestic clients have always had health and safety duties under the CDM regulations, as well as under the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations which CDM (2007) replaces.

It is true that changes coming into effect from April 2007 will prevent clients from off-loading their responsibilities to third-parties. However, it would be entirely wrong to think that most businesses are now going to have to plan and manage construction projects themselves, or specify how the work is done!

Most businesses will at some stage require maintenance work on their property, have additional construction work carried out, or possibly even some demolition. Under such circumstances it is important that the client understands the basics of when the CDM regulations apply, and what their duties are.

This feature provides an overview of when and how the regulations apply, as well as outlining what clients must do for all projects and for so-called 'notifiable projects'.

And perhaps just as importantly, we also let you know what Health and Safety Commission (HSC) says clients DO NOT have to do...