CDM 2015 - Exactly what are the changes?

The new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, CDM 2015, will come into force on 6 April 2015.

There is a need to clarify the key changes that will occur in the development from CDM 2007 and the new roles and responsibilities of those health and safety professionals who will be affected.

So what are the changes and what are the new/ updated roles and responsibilities? Below is a consolidation of what you need to know:*

• Simplification
  The new regulations ensure that key roles and responsibilities, particularly of the client (in this context, the party/developer carrying out the works) are communicated with greater clarity than CDM 2007.

• Applicability across a wider framework
  CDM 2015 applies to a wider scope of construction works than CDM 2007, aligning more closely with the Temporary or Mobile Construction Sites Directive (Directive 92/57/ECC).

• The evolution of the principal designer
  Once the 'planning supervisor', then the 'CDM co-ordinator', the party with primary responsibility for managing health and safety during the pre-construction phase is now the 'principal designer'. Under the new regulations one member of the design team will be selected to co-ordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase. The principal designer then sustains involvement throughout the project by communicating with the contractor at all times and ensuring all designers comply with their duties.

• More responsibility for the client
  With the removal of the role of the CDM co-ordinator under the new regulations, more responsibility has been assigned to the client. Clients are considered best placed to set and enforce the standards, set the tone for a project and to ensure that the relevant health and safety requirements are being maintained and reviewed. Failure to do this can lead to criminal sanctions. With CDM 2015, the client must:

• Notify the HSE of the project particulars and confirming that they are aware of their duties
• Appoint a principal designer and principal contractor
• Provide the pre-construction information
• Sustain involvement throughout the project to ensure all duty holders adhere to their duties and health and safety standards are maintained on site throughout the works

Want to learn more? Enrol in one of our new training courses developed specifically for those wishing to make a smooth and informed transition from CDM 2007 to CDM 2015:

CDM 2015: Overview 1 day	CDM 2015: The Complete Guide 2 days
Ideal if you are looking for an introduction the new regulations, the basic requirements of those who have responsibility for health and safety on projects, and how to apply CDM 2015 in practice. Read more and book.	A comprehensive two day programme that will guide you through the requirements of all duty-holders under CDM 2015. It will ensure that you have clarity on the necessary health and safety procedures to be implemented throughout the life-cycle of the project, whatever your role. Read more and book.
CDM 2015: The Principal Designer and Designer - Demonstrating Capability 1 day	CDM 2015: The Importance of the Client in leading the Project Team 1 day
This useful one day training course focusses on the process of managing and co-ordinating health and safety in design, covering essential aspects of the role such as communication, team-based risk management, change management and accident prevention strategies. Read more and book.	This one day training programme focusses on the responsibilities of the client under CDM 2015 ensuring clarity on how to build the project team, and the impact client decisions have on health and safety practice throughout the project. Read more and book.

All ICE Training CDM 2015 training courses have been reviewed by the ICE health and Safety Panel as part of the ICE knowledge transfer strategy to ensure the communication of best practice.

*Source: reedsmith.com/CDM-Regulations-2015-02-17-2015, February 2015