Revised CDM Regulations and guidance will come into force in October 2014:
CDM does not just apply to large building projects, and the proposals will seek to underline that the Regulations also cover smaller projects, including most domestic work, building maintenance and landscaping projects.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aims to deliver core guidance on how to manage health and safety on-site, and provide a "clear interpretation" of the revised Regulations. This will be supported by a practical guide to managing health and safety on small construction projects, and a number of sector-specific guides for "typical small construction projects. (Possibly including the landscape industry)
There will be much more emphasis on the need for those involved in construction-related activity to follow the general requirements of CDM, and less emphasis on the additional requirements that apply to 'notifiable' (e.g. larger building site) projects.
Key references to safety pre-qualification requirements are set to disappear, which is expected to leave the door ajar for pre-qualification guide PAS 91 and prequalification questionnaire (PQQ) umbrella scheme SSIP, allowing them to assume a bigger role in the industry.
The HSE has been careful not to release other specific details in advance of the consultation, but in addition to the expected removal of the current 'CDM coordinator' role, a new role is set to appear – the 'principal designer'.
