Six years after CDM 2007 comes a revised version of the regulations, namely CDM 2015. A set of updated guidelines designed to improve the safety of all parties involved in commercially-led construction projects that will impact all levels of the construction industry from workers and small builders to designers and contractors. Everyone must play their part where safety is concerned and the regulations have been designed to enforce this.
At Heightsafe Systems our tag line is ‘Safety Above All Else’ and we wholeheartedly believe in the new regulations and what they stand for. As a company that has been thriving for five years and supplies, installs and certifies roof access and fall protection equipment, as well as a burgeoning range of compliance and facilities-based services to contractors, builders, site owners and end-users, CDM 2015 represents the start of a new era for us. And it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time for us – more on that later!
The latest CDM came into force on 6 April 2015 and addresses what people involved in construction work need to do to protect themselves and anyone the work affects from harm, all designed to improve health and safety in the industry. It sets out to help the individual to:
- Sensibly plan the work so the risks involved are managed from start to finish
- Have the right people for the right job at the right time
- Cooperate and coordinate your work with others
- Have the right information about the risks and how they are being managed
- Communicate this information effectively to those who need to know
- Consult and engage with workers about the risks and how they are being managed
It impacts largely commercial clients (including individuals, partnerships and companies as well as property developers and companies managing domestic properties) since domestic clients having any work carried out will see the duties passed on to other dutyholders. For designers who must ensure the elimination of risk is drawn into a plan, contractors who must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety, and individual workers who should report any health and safety issue affecting themselves or others, the extent of the CDM is vast and comprehensive. In support of these regulations, the Health and Safety Executive provides a well-stocked resource of information for CDM 2015 and access to reporting functions in the event that a breach does occur.
Aware of the need for a transition phase between CDM 2007 and CDM 2015, further guidelines have been set to phase one set of regulations to the other, including the need for the appointment of a CDM co-ordinator which allows a handover period up until 6 October 2015. But in all other cases, the requirements of CDM 2015 apply in full from 6 April 2015.
So what does this mean for us and how does this shape our future?
Heightsafe Systems is moving with the times, and our range of self-manufactured height safety equipment is constantly being developed and is proving popular with clients looking for the solutions we can provide. So much so, the imminent move into our new warehouse is anticipated with excitement and urgency, and this will bring so many more opportunities to our sales operations and to our clients looking for protection methods quickly and efficiently. A new streamlined operation such as this will reinforce our commitment to health and safety amongst all our clients, giving them the opportunity to concentrate on their own tasks involved in complying with CDM 2015.
Safety Above All Else