The CDM minefield

12 October 2010

The HSE are currently funding an evaluation of the present legislation regarding CDM.

An extract from their web forum to give you a flavour of the activity taking place can be found on the HSE website.

I attended one of the events in Manchester on 29 September (hence the late submission of this paper) and was the only Telecoms voice amongst a sea of Contractors and CDM Co-ordinators (some cheekily touting their wares), another lonely voice was from the only Designer in the audience.

The points I lodged with the event organisers were:

Why remove the Client Agent role when often the agent is far better knowledgeable regarding CDM than the Client is.

Why include specific reference to Telecommunications when the regulations apply in any case to truly construction type work, and given new technology there is little construction now taking place.

Determine the phrase 'install pre-fabricated structure'.  Telecommunications install pre-fabricated structures called cabinets and the installation involves locating on the floor much akin to a mister shifter carrying out an office move.

The ACOP should determine what the competence assessment is, not list training organisations.

I don’t intend to influence your own opinion but I do feel very strongly that if we don’t have a loud enough voice, things will never change in our favour.

Dave Dixon MA MSc CMIOSH

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Where the content includes discussion and information about UK law or occupational health matters, this should not be regarded as legal or medical advice. Where legal advice is required, a suitably qualified lawyer should be consulted. Where medical advice is required, a suitably qualified medical practitioner should be consulted.