Approval, from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), of the proposed revised Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations and Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) to be formally submitted to the Minister was announced, following a meeting of the members this week.
The Regulations will revise and bring together provisions in the existing CDM Regulations 1994 and the Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 into a single regulatory package.
Members discussed concerns from SME's and noted that the Regulations did not impose any new duties upon stakeholders. The new Regulations merely clarify what stakeholders should be doing already under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
However, clear simple guidelines are being developed to assist SME's, in a bid to alleviate concerns and misconceptions and the HSE will report back to the HSC in January 2007 with a progress report on the issues raised.
Following the meeting, Mr. Richard Boland, Head of Construction Policy, said:
''I am delighted that the revised regulatory package has been approved by the Commission. We remain on target for the Regulations coming into force in April next year.
"Over the last four years we have worked in partnership with the industry to simplify and add clarity to construction health and safety law so that risks on site can be properly managed.
"We will continue to work together to make sure that the new provisions and ACoP improve standards of health and safety management in our industry."
The meeting discussion paper can be accessed from the HSE webpage, by clicking the following:
HSE - Agendas, Papers and Minutes
Further information on the HSE's Construction Division can be accessed from their webpage by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
