CDM 2007 designers
For information about the role of designers under the 2015 CDM regulations see CDM 2015 designers.
The text below relates to the superseded 2007 CDM regulations and is provided as a historical reference.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM Regulations) are intended to ensure health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development so the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.
They were introduced in 1994 and came into force on 31 March 1995. They were substantially revised in 2007.
The regulations impose duties on:
- The client.
- Designers.
- The CDM co-ordinator.
- The principal contractor.
- Contractors.
- Workers.
The regulations define a designer as ‘…any person (including a client, contractor or other person referred to in these Regulations) who in the course or furtherance of a business:
relating to a structure or to a product or mechanical or electrical system intended for a particular structure, and a person is deemed to prepare a design where a design is prepared by a person under his control.'
Where ‘design’ includes ‘…drawings, design details, specification and bill of quantities (including specification of articles or substances) relating to a structure, and calculations prepared for the purpose of a design’.
The duties of designers include:
- Ensuring the client is aware of their duties under the regulations.
- In so far as is reasonably practicable, avoiding foreseeable risks to the health and safety of any person that is: carrying out construction work; liable to be affected by such construction work; cleaning any window or any transparent or translucent wall, ceiling or roof in or on a structure; maintaining the permanent fixtures and fittings of a structure; or using a structure designed as a workplace.
- Eliminating hazards which may give rise to risks.
- Reducing risks from any remaining hazards.
- Giving collective measures priority over individual measures.
- Taking account of the provisions of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which relate to the design of, and materials used in, the structure.
- Take all reasonable steps to provide sufficient information to the client, other designers and contractors.
Where projects are notifiable under the regulations (projects which last more than 30 days or involve more than 500 person-days of construction work), the additional duties of designers include:
- Ensuring a CDM co-ordinator has been appointed for the project. NB It is generally accepted that ‘design’ commences at concept design stage, and so designers should not commence this stage until a CDM co-ordinator has been appointed.
- Take all reasonable steps to provide sufficient information to assist the CDM co-ordinator to comply with their duties, including duties in relation to the health and safety file.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.