A Designers CDM Proficiency (Competency) Test Presentation to CONIAC by Clive Johnson 4 th March 2008

What HSE thinks makes competence Competent H&S Policy Competent advice training Individual competence Monitoring & review How will this be demonstrated?

Proficient (Competent) Person should have: Skill Knowledge Attitude Training Experience With thanks to Kevin Fear HSE has defined competence as (RR150) 1. Understand / recognise any potential hazards associated with the work under consideration = skill 2. Detect any technical defects or omissions in that work and recognise any implications for health & safety caused by those defects or omissions = Knowledge 3. Be able to specify a remedial action in mitigation of those implications = Training & experience The test will aim to demonstrate designers can deliver this

Brief for the test –The questions must be a stern test –The test shall be multiple choice & marked immediately –The questions shall be thought-provoking –The test distracter answers shall not be trivial –The test shall test whether the delegate has the necessary skill; The necessary knowledge; and The necessary training & experience; (See previous slide for definition of skill, knowledge & experience) –The questions shall be drawn at random from a large bank –The bank of questions shall give a 1 in 5 chance of any question being repeated (in case of a retake)

What should be tested? 1. Basic knowledge of the CDM regulations: –Application of the regulations –What is notifiable work –Who is a designer –Timing of appointments –What is construction work –Duty holders –Designers duties 2. Knowledge of H&S legislation: Understand some legal terms: SFAIRP, suitable & sufficient, collective before individual protection, etc Hierarchies in other regulations, eg, Work at Height Regulations Understand which other regulations might apply Understand hazard and risk Understand what is a significant hazard Know the requirements of the Workplace Regulations Understand the importance of an ACoP & know what the CDM ACoP recommends

What should be tested?..Continued Unergonomic, noise, vibration MSD Noise & vibration Silica dust Drowning Disease Collapse competent designers should recognise these as potentially hazardous operations? The H&S issues with construction processes: How they can give rise to hazards, eg:

What should be tested?..Continued Discipline specific issues –Provide a scenario –Ask CDM designer-related issues questions about it –To test whether: The designer recognises a hazard exists in a real situation; He/she understands how this might influence design decisions; He/she understands how to design out the hazard or make it easier to manage.

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