SC13 - Construction

Construction (Design and Management)

 

Contents

• 1. Purpose
• 2. Scope
• 3. Definitions
• 4. Responsibilities
  
  • 4.1 Directors
  • 4.2 Appointed STFC Client
  • 4.3 STFC staff appointed as designers
  • 4.4 STFC staff appointed as contractor
  • 4.5 STFC staff appointed as principal contractor
  • 4.6 STFC staff appointed as CDM coordinator
  • 4.7 Other STFC staff associated with the project
• 5. Summary Flow Chart
• Appendices
  
  • Appendix 1 - When does CDM apply?
  • Appendix 2 - Training (for STFC staff with CDM duties)
  • Appendix 3 - Notifiable projects (PDF - 9kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 4 - F10 Notification form to use for notifiable projects (PDF - 29kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 5 - Client duties (PDF - 23kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 6 - Clients' Management Arrangements (PDF - 14kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 7 - Check list on adequacy of management arrangements for projects (PDF - 28kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 8 - Providing Pre-construction information and check list (PDF - 372kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 9 - Designers' duties (PDF - 17kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 10 - Contractors' duties (PDF - 16kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 11 - CDM Co-ordinator's duties (PDF - 27kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 12 - Principal Contractors' duties (PDF - 16kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 13 - Guidance for the Principal Contractor in preparing the Health and Safety Plan (PDF - 11kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 14 - Evaluation of competence (PDF - 36kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 15 - Health & Safety File for Notifiable Projects only (PDF - 18kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 16 - Worker engagement and communications (PDF - 14kB - link opens in a new window)
  • Appendix 17 - Audit Checklist

Revisions

1. Purpose

"2.2 million people work in Britain's construction industry, making it the country's biggest industry. It is also one of the most dangerous. In the last 25 years, over 2,800 people have died from injuries they received as a result of construction work. Many more have been injured or made ill."

HSE website, "Health and safety in the construction industry"

The purpose of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007) is to ensure that health and safety is co-ordinated and managed throughout all stages of construction projects (including the design and procurement stages) in order to reduce accidents and ill health. It also aims to ensure the safe use, future alteration and final decommissioning of the final product.

STFC as a client has duties under CDM(2007) and will have further duties if it chooses to take on the role of designer, contractor, principal contractor or CDM Co-ordinator for construction projects.

STFC will need to have management arrangements in place for construction projects that are proportionate to the risks arising from the work and are suitable to ensure that construction can be carried out at minimized risk to the health and safety of any person.

CDM(2007) is about ensuring coordination and cooperation between all parties concerned with a project whilst minimizing bureaucracy.

2. Scope

This safety code will apply to all construction work as defined by the CDM(2007) Regulations. (See definition below)

If CDM(2007) applies to any works then STFC will have duties either as a Client, Designer, Contractor, Principal Contractor or CDM Co-ordinator. Construction projects carried out by STFC may need to be notified to the HSE. See Appendices 1 and 3 on how to determine whether the work is notifiable.

Notifiable projects will require STFC to appoint a CDM Co-ordinator to advise and assist with STFC's Client duties and to co-ordinate the arrangements for health and safety during the planning phase. It will also require STFC to appoint a Principal Contractor to plan, manage and monitor the construction phase.

If these appointments are not made at the appropriate time, STFC will be legally liable for the work that the CDM Co-ordinator and Principal Contractor should do, as well as for not making the appointments.

There will be a number of projects that will not require to be notified to the HSE. However, STFC will still have CDM(2007) Client, Designer and Contractor duties if they act in these capacities.

3. Definitions

3.1 Client

The STFC employee appointed by the Council to act as the Client.

A Client is an organisation or individual for whom a construction project is carried out.

3.2 CDM Co-ordinator

Means the STFC employee or organisation or person appointed by STFC to carry out the duties of CDM Co-ordinator.

The CDM co-ordinator is there to advise and assist the Client with their CDM duties on notifiable jobs.

3.3 Construction phase plan

A document prepared by the Principal Contractor recording the health and safety arrangements, site rules and any special measures for construction work.

3.4 Construction work

This covers any building, civil engineering or engineering construction work and will include:

• The construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, upkeep, redecorating or other maintenance (including high pressure cleaning), de-commissioning, demolition or dismantling of a structure;
  
  
• Site preparation – site clearance, exploration, investigation (but not site survey) and excavation;
  
  
• The assembly on site of prefabricated elements to form a structure or the disassembly on site of prefabricated elements which, immediately before disassembly formed a structure;
  
  
• The removal of a structure or of any product or waste resulting from demolition or dismantling of a structure;
  
  
• The installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair or removal of mechanical, electrical, gas, compressed air, hydraulic, telecommunications, computer or similar services which are normally fixed within or to a structure.
  
  

For further guidance on whether work is 'construction work' see Appendix 1 ror examples.

3.5 Contractor

The organisation appointed by STFC to undertake all or part of the works. This may be STFC itself if it is competent to carry out the works.

3.6 Competency

Is the demonstration by an individual or organisation that they have sufficient experience, knowledge and other skills to carry out their duties satisfactorily.

3.7 Design

This covers drawings, design details, specifications and bill of quantities relating to a structure, and calculations prepared for the purpose of a design.

3.8 Designer

Will cover any person (either a STFC employee or an externally appointed person) who;

• Prepares or modifies a design; or
  
  
• Arranges for or instructs any person under his control to do so.

3.9 Health and Safety file

A document containing significant health and safety information relating to the project which is likely to be needed during subsequent construction work, maintenance and decommissioning.

3.10 Notifiable project

A notifiable project is one that meets certain criteria (see Appendix 3 (PDF - 9kB - link opens in a new window)) such that it needs to be notified to the HSE using Form F10 (see Appendix 4 (PDF - 29kB - link opens in a new window)).

3.11 Pre-construction information

Pre-construction information Information required by CDM(2007) to be given by STFC to Designers, Contractors and CDM Co-ordinator appointed by the Client. Information includes:

• Information affecting the site of the works e.g. known hazards
  
  
• Information concerning the proposed use of the finished product.
  
  
• The amount of time to be provided to the contractor to make preparations before starting on site
  
• Information in any existing health and safety file.

3.12 Principal Contractor

The organisation appointed by STFC to carry out the duties of Principal Contractor as set out in CDM(2007). STFC may take on the role of Principal Contractor if it deems itself competent to do so.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Directorate/Business Unit Head shall:

• 4.1.1 Ensure an appropriate staff member is appointed to act as Client for an identified piece of work.
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• 4.1.2 Ensure the person chosen has adequate experience and knowledge to carry out the duties of the Client.
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• 4.1.3 Ensure the appointed Client and any other staff assigned roles under CDM(2007) are provided with sufficient time and resources to carry out their duties.

4.2 Appointed STFC client shall:

• 4.2.1 First of all decide whether the project is 'construction work' as defined in CDM(2007) and that the regulations will apply. The definition of 'construction work' can be found in Section 3 above and Appendix 1.
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• If CDM does apply then the client shall further.
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• 4.2.2 Appoint Designers and Contractors as necessary.
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• 4.2.3 Ensure that any STFC staff appointed as a duty holder is aware of their duties under CDM(2007) and are able to carry them out.
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• 4.2.4 Check competence and resources of all appointees.
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• 4.2.5 Ensure there are suitable management arrangements for the project. Refer to Appendix 6 (PDF - 14kB - link opens in a new window) for Client's Management Arrangements.
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• 4.2.6 Allow sufficient time and resources for all stages.
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• 4.2.7 Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors. Refer to Appendix 8. (PDF - 372kB - link opens in a new window)
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• 4.2.8 Ensure as far as the Client is able that all duty holders carry out their duties.
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• In addition to the above and when a project is notifiable the Client should:
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• 4.2.9 Appoint a CDM Co-ordinator. CDM(2007) lays down strict criteria concerning the competence of CDM Co-ordinators (see Appendix 14 (PDF - 36kB - link opens in a new window)). It is unlikely therefore that STFC staff will act in this capacity. It is expected that in the majority of cases the duties will be undertaken by an external organisation. Before making such an appointment the Client should check whether an organisation is already appointed to carry out such work for STFC.
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• 4.2.10 Appoint a Principal Contractor.
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• 4.2.11 Ensure that the construction phase does not start unless there are suitable welfare facilities; a construction phase plan in place; and a Site Waste Management Plan is in place.
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• 4.2.12 Retain and provide access to the Health and Safety File.
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• 4.2.13 See also Appendix 5 (PDF - 23kB - link opens in a new window) for further details.

4.3 STFC staff appointed as designers shall:

• 4.3.1 Ensure sufficient time and resources are set aside to carry out the duties.
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• 4.3.2 Eliminate hazards and reduce risks during design.
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• 4.3.3 Provide information about remaining risks with the construction documentation.
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• In addition to the above and when a project is notifiable designers should:
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• 4.3.4 Check that the Client is aware of his/her duties and that a CDM Co-ordinator has been appointed.
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• 4.3.5 Check that the CDM Co-ordinator has notified the HSE.
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• 4.3.6 Provide any information needed for the health and safety file.
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• 4.3.7 Co-operate with all other duty holders
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• See also Appendix 9 (PDF - 17kB - link opens in a new window) for further details and guidance.

4.4 STFC staff appointed as contractor shall:

• 4.4.1 Ensure they are competent to carry out their duties and that they set aside sufficient time and resources to complete the duties.
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• 4.4.2 Plan, manage and monitor their own work and that of other STFC staff working for them and any sub-contractors employed by them.
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• 4.4.3 Check competence of all STFC staff and sub-contractors working for them.
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• 4.4.4 Ensure STFC and sub-contractor staff receive any necessary training.
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• 4.4.5 Provide relevant information to STFC staff and sub-contractors.
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• 4.4.6 Comply with the specific requirements in part 4 of the regulations which relate to 'Health and Safety on Construction Sites'
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• 4.4.7 Ensure there are adequate welfare facilities for STFC staff and sub-contractors.
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• In addition to the above when a project is notifiable the contractor should:
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• 4.4.8 Check that the Client is aware of their duties, a CDM Co-ordinator has been appointed and HSE has been notified before starting work.
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• 4.4.9 Co-operate with the Principal Contractor in planning and managing work, including reasonable directions and site rules.
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• 4.4.10 Provide details to the Principal Contractor of any sub-contractor he engages in connection with carrying out the work.
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• 4.4.11 Provide any information needed for the health and safety file.
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• 4.4.12 Not start work until they receive relevant portions of the Construction Health and Safety Plan from the Principal Contractor.
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• 4.4.13 Inform the Principal Contractor of any problems with the Construction Health and Safety Plan.
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• 4.4.14 Inform the Principal Contractor of reportable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences.
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• 4.4.15 Co-operate with all other duty holders.
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• See also Appendix 10 (PDF - 16kB - link opens in a new window) for further guidance.

4.5 STFC staff appointed as Principal Contractor shall:

• 4.5.1 Plan, manage and monitor the construction phase in liaison with other contractors.
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• 4.5.2 Prepare, develop and implement a written Health and Safety Plan and site rules. (Note that the Initial plan needs to be completed before the construction phase begins). See Appendix 13 (PDF - 11kB - link opens in a new window) for guidance on preparing the Health and Safety Plan.
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• 4.5.3 Give contractors relevant parts of the plan before they start work.
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• 4.5.4 Check competence of all their appointees.
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• 4.5.5 Ensure all workers have site inductions and any further information and training needed for the work.
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• 4.5.6 Consult with the workers on Health Safety and Welfare matters.
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• 4.5.7 Liaise with the CDM Co-ordinator regarding ongoing design.
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• 4.5.8 Secure the site to ensure only authorised persons gain access.
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• See also Appendix 12 (PDF - 16kB - link opens in a new window) for further guidance.

4.6 STFC staff appointed as CDM Co-ordinator shall:

• 4.6.1 Ensure they meet the competency criteria set out in CDM(2007) (see Appendix 14 (PDF - 36kB - link opens in a new window)).
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• 4.6.2 Set aside adequate time and resources to carry out their duties.
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• 4.6.3 Advise and assist the Client with their duties.
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• 4.6.4 Notify the project to the HSE on behalf of STFC (see Appendix 4 (PDF - 29kB - link opens in a new window)).
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• 4.6.5 Co-ordinate health and safety aspects of design work and cooperate with others involved with the project.
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• 4.6.6 Facilitate good communication between Client, Designers and Contractors.
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• 4.6.7 Liaise with the Principal Contractor regarding ongoing design.
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• 4.6.8 Prepare and, during the project, update health and safety file.
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• See also Appendix 11 (PDF - 27kB - link opens in a new window) for further guidance.

4.7 Other STFC staff associated with the project

• 4.7.1 Check their own competence to carry out the tasks they are carrying out on the project.
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• 4.7.2 Ensure that they have sufficient time and resources to carry out their tasks safely.
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• 4.7.3 Co-operate with others and co-ordinate work so as to ensure the health and safety of construction workers and others who may be affected by the work.
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• 4.7.4 Report obvious risks to the Principal Contractor, CDM Co-ordinator or Client, whichever is most appropriate.
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• 4.7.5 Comply with requirements in Schedule 3 and Part 4 of the Regulations.

5. Summary Flow Chart