Health and Safety Executive

Health and Safety Executive

CDM 2007 Training

Package

Session 3 – CDM co-ordinator

Version: September 07

Who is the CDM co-ordinator?

• CDM 2007 creates the new role of CDM co-ordinator

• Role is to advise the client on health and safety issues during the design and planning phases of construction work

• Only needed for notifiable projects

• Replaces the role of planning supervisor under CDM 94

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 2

Planning supervisor – Why change?

• Role of Planning Supervisor has not been considered a success

• Experience suggested that– The new role had limited influence– They did not “plan” or “supervise”– A defensive view was often taken– Excessive paperwork and bureaucracy

sometime occurred

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 3

Role of the CDM co-ordinator

• The CDM co-ordinator is not just a new name - it is a new role and more is expected

• The client / CDM co-ordinator relationship is key to the revision of CDM

• CDM co-ordinator is empowered by linking the role to supporting the client to carry out their duties – ‘client’s best friend’

• An appointment has to be made early

• There are big expectations to act to reduce risk, NOT to generate unnecessary paper

• 12 month transition for existing PS’s to retrain

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 4

Duties of the CDM co-ordinator (1)

• CDM co-ordinators must give suitable and sufficient advice to clients in order to help them to comply with their duties

• They should:– Advise the client about selecting competent

designers and contractors– Help identify what information will be needed

by designers and contractors– Co-ordinate the arrangements for health and

safety of planning and design work

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 5

Duties of the CDM co-ordinator (2)

– Ensure that HSE is notified of the project (unless a domestic client)

– Advise on the suitability of the initial construction phase plan

– Prepare a health and safety file (information for the client to enable future cleaning, maintenance and alterations to be carried out safely)

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 6

CDM co-ordinator - Limitations

• CDM co-ordinators do NOT have to – Approve the appointment of other duty holders,

although they give advice – Approve or check designs, although be satisfied

the hierarchy is addressed– Approve or supervise the principal contractor’s

construction phase plan– Supervise or monitor work on site

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 7

HSE’s expectation of CDM co-ordinators

• Are expected to adopt a positive enabling role

• Brevity and clarity is key

• They must be discouraged: – from developing unproductive paper based

systems– asking for unnecessary proof from designers,

such as design risk assessments

• They do not have to approve principal contractor’s risk assessments or method statements

• They should advise on management arrangements, not the detail

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 8

Who can be a CDM co-ordinator?

• Any person or body - so long as they fulfil the competence requirements given in the ACOP

• The duties can be carried out by a– Client (deemed to be the CDM co-ordinator if

no appointment made anyway)– Principal contractor– Contractor– Designer – Or full time CDM co-ordinator

• On small jobs a combined role of designer and CDM co-ordinator could have advantages

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 9

CDM co-ordinator - Key messages

• The CDM co-ordinator is in, and the planning supervisor is out. If you have the right skills and experience, you can make a difference

• You are the key advisor to the client and the catalyst for effective communication and co-ordination throughout the project

• You should make sure the right information goes to the right people at the right time

CDM 2007 CDM co-ordinator – Slide 10