The new CDM2015 Regulations came into
effect on the 6th April and the Industry is cautiously
adapting to the new state of play. The jury is still out on how the
proposed changes will impact the current format of the industry both
form a client and professional perspective. The replacement of the
CDM-coordinator with the new Principal Designer role is perhaps the
most controversial move the changes will bring. Reviewing the
amendment, it seems in most cases this role will de-facto land in the
lap of the Architect when they are assuming the role as lead
designer. This holds true whether appointed by the client on larger
projects or deemed to become Principal Designer on smaller / domestic
projects.
We have read, online or in the
professional press, commentaries and doubts expressed over whether
the Architect has the necessary skills, training and willingness to
step into the gap vacated by the CDMC. This opinion has been
expressed and supported by CDMCs, as you would perhaps expect, but
also surprisingly by architects themselves.
As someone responsible for overseeing
our practice’s health and safety approach and implementation, the
Practice and I see the changes as a positive move and we welcome the
new regulations’ main objective to bring H&S back at the heart
of the project. After all this was the spirit in which the 1994 CDM
regulations were first made into statutes, with the onus being on the
designers to eliminate risks from the design during the early stages
of the project.
Architects as lead consultants are
surely the most qualified to know their projects inside out. They are
responsible for coordinating design, facilitating communications
within the team and managing change control. Architects are often the
first appointment at feasibility stage and will see the project to
completion. Any architect worth their salt should be well versed in
Design Risk Management, fully able to review and comment on the
Contractors’ Construction Phase Plan and will want to leave the
client with a robust and comprehensive H&S file, enabling them to
manage and maintain the building safely in years to come.
The CDM2015 Regulations require the
Principal Designer to have the ‘necessary skills, knowledge and
experience’ and ‘organisational capacity’ to manage H&S.Here
at Watson Batty we know we have all these, we are plugging training
gaps for all our staff, updating our QA systems and already advising
our clients on the changes. In a word, we are raring to go and
excited about this new challenge!
Industry Guidance:
If you would like any further
information about how we may be able to assist with the forthcoming
changes please telephone or e-mail us at enquires:watsonbatty.com
By Catherine Blain
H&S Manager
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