The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM2007) are in force from 6 April 2007. The aim is for health and safety considerations to be treated as an essential, but normal part of a project's development - not an afterthought or bolt-on extra.

The key aim of CDM2007 is to integrate health and safety into the management of the project and to encourage everyone involved to work together to:

• improve the planning and management of projects from the very start
• identify risks early on
• target effort where it can do the most good in terms of health and safety
• discourage unnecessary bureaucracy

These Regulations are intended to focus attention on planning and management throughout construction projects, from design concept onwards. However CDM2007 does set further onerous health and safety obligations on the client of all construction projects.

"Builder-developers are often both client and principal contractor, although they may appoint another contractor as principal contractor. They may also be a designer or co-ordinator. They must comply with CDM2007 in all their roles." "For notifiable projects, if a client does not make appointments (required by CDM2007), they become legally liable for the work that the CDM co-ordinator and principal contractor should do."

"Getting the right people for these roles and making early appointments is particularly important for clients with little construction or health and safety expertise, as they will need to rely on the advice given by the CDM co-ordinator on matters relating to the competence of those who they intend to appoint, and the adequacy of the management arrangements made by appointees." (extracts from Approved Code of Practice)

The Stilwell Partnership has previously acted as Planning Supervisor, in the role renamed as CDM co-ordinator and redefined by these Regulations. Our experienced personnel are fully trained and up-to-date with the impact of CDM2007. We can, therefore, undertake the CDM co-ordinator role efficiently whilst ensuring the minimum disruption to progress of your projects. Click on this link to contact us directly by email.

Follow this link to the Health & Safety Executive website for downloads of all the relevant Regulations and codes of practice.