QUALITY AND SAFETY

Quality and Safety- Improvising the Role of CDM

Introduction

An objective of CDM 2007 is to engage the project team in an integrated approach to design and construction risk management. On notifiable projects the client should appoint a CDM co-ordinator as soon as possible to allow design work to progress beyond 'initial design'. Practical interpretations of project design activities that would be either initial design or beyond are provided in 1.5 below. Through being involved in early discussions with their client, designers are in an ideal position to assess the scope of the project to quickly determine whether it is likely to be notifiable. In order to meet the aims and spirit of the legislation, designers should advise the client that a CDM co-ordinator should be appointed as soon as possible, if the project is notifiable (Perry, 2002).

Role of CDM Cordinator

The role of the CDM Co-ordinator (CDMC) is to provide the construction client with a key project adviser in respect of construction health and safety risk management matters. It is the duty of the appointed CDM Co-ordinator to ensure the proper co-ordination of the health and safety aspects of the design process. The specialist facilitates good inter-communication and co-operation between the other project team members (architects, engineers, surveyors, building and specialist contractors) and co-ordinates the preparation of the health and safety file.

Improvising the Role of CDM

Advice and assistance

The CDM co-ordinator is at the heart of the 'project's health and safety strategy'. The CDM co-ordinator must advise and assist the client on all aspects of the client's duties relating to health and safety, if the client requires this. A competent CDM co-ordinator will advise the appointing client on the extent to which arrangements will be necessary and must agree them with the client. What they are and how they are to be implemented and monitored should be clearly set down (Bailey, 2004).

The relationship between client and CDM co-ordinator should be established soon after appointment. The CDM co-ordinator will have to be aware of the client's ability in terms of their construction and health and safety experience and knowledge. This will inform the approach and style of the CDM co-ordinator.

Advice and assistance must focus on the objectives of CDM 2007 for improving project health and safety to keep, as a minimum, the client and their project within the law. In the early project stages, it will be essential for the CDM co-ordinator to find out as much as possible about the project from the client and the designers; knowing who to contact and their role will help the CDM co-ordinator to effectively advise and assist the client. Advice and assistance should be provided for clients when considering forms of procurement and how the project team is to be assembled.

The CDM co-ordinator can advise on these matters to assist the client in making decisions that avoid conflicts over safety arrangements between parties. The regulations and ACoP do not prescribe the background of the CDM co-ordinator but in order to ...