1. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015
28th February 2017
Adam Stonely

2. Definition of Construction Work under CDM
The carrying out of any building, civil engineering or engineering construction work and includes:
the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, upkeep, redecoration or other maintenance (including cleaning which involves the use of water or an abrasive at high pressure, or the use of corrosive or toxic substances), de-commissioning, demolition or dismantling of a structure;
the preparation for an intended structure, including site clearance, exploration, investigation (but not site survey) and excavation (but not pre-construction archaeological investigations), and the clearance or preparation of the site or structure for use or occupation at its conclusion;

3. Definition of Construction Work continued
the assembly on site of prefabricated elements to form a structure or the disassembly on site of the prefabricated elements which, immediately before such disassembly, formed a structure;
the removal of a structure, or of any product or waste resulting from demolition or dismantling of a structure, or from disassembly of prefabricated elements which immediately before such disassembly formed such a structure;
the installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair or removal of mechanical, electrical, gas, compressed air, hydraulic, telecommunications, computer or similar services which are normally fixed within or to a structure.

4. Duties of the Client
Make suitable arrangements for managing a project. This includes making sure:
other duty holders are appointed;
sufficient time and resources are allocated.
Make sure: relevant information is prepared and provided to other duty holders;
The HSE are notified of all notifiable projects.
The construction phase plan is approved
the principal designer and principal contractor carry out their duties;
welfare facilities are provided.

5. Notifiable Projects (i. e
Notifiable Projects (i.e. projects which are notifiable to the HSE through the completion of an F10 notification form
A project is notifiable if the construction work on a construction site is scheduled to –
Last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project; or
Exceed 500 person days.
Commercial clients are responsible for completing the F10 and notifying the HSE if the project meets these criteria.

6. Construction Phase Plan
Construction Phase Plans are required on all projects.
The plan should be proportionate to the project and the risks involved.
The Construction Phase Plan is to be developed by the Principal Contractor on multiple contractor projects or the contractor on single contractor projects
The Client is responsible for approving the construction phase plan and, if acceptable, authorising the contractor to begin construction by letter.

7. Health and Safety Files
Health & Safety files are now required on ALL projects.
The Health & Safety File can be as simple as the manufacturers booklet for the equipment you are installing or the specification for the works.
The file does not have to be made complicated by adding unnecessary information.
The Client is responsible for keeping the safety file safe, accessible and up-to-date.

8. When do CDM duties not apply
In a recent published Q&A, an HSE spokesman has stated recently that:
“General maintenance of fixed plant which mainly involves mechanical adjustments, replacing parts or lubrication is unlikely to be construction work.”
Welcome clarification from the HSE tells us that everyday maintenance, inspection and minor repairs are not usually “construction work”, unless part of a larger civil engineering or building project. As a result, CDM requirements won’t apply to such things as:
tree works, industrial cleaning, inspection/testing of services, cleaning solar panels, and similar unless any of these works are associated with a building project
maintenance of fixed plant such as servicing boilers, lifts and gas appliances; and minor repairs, e.g. to doors, floors, walls.