If you are planning a construction project, you may have heard the phrase ‘CDM Advisor’. But do you know what it means and what they do? More importantly, do you understand how important this role is for your project?
The letters ‘CDM’ stand for ‘Construction (Design and Management)’. This is the name of a series of industry regulations that became law in the UK in 2015. These regulations were created to streamline and enhance the safety procedures in the construction industry. They were written with the aim of reducing avoidable risks on construction projects, ensuring that everyone involved remains safe. By following the CDM 2015 regulations, companies can more sensibly plan out the scope of the project so that risks are managed all the way through. It also means that the right people are doing the right job at the right time, in a way that is coordinated and cooperative. Everyone, from the management team down to the tradesmen on the project, should have the right information about the risks that they might face and how they are being managed, and the workers should be engaged in discussions about managing risks.
As you might imagine, this set of regulations changed the face of the building industry. New processes must be followed, which means that everyone on site is affected by the policies and guidelines. One of the more noticeable changes is that the CDM safety regulations placed a greater emphasis on the role of the company running the construction site, rather than leaving the management of the risks to the tradesmen.
So where does the CDM advisor come into all this? This person’s role is to provide support and assistance for companies to meet the regulatory standards. The reality is that despite many businesses having great experience in construction and property development, many do not have the degree of experience that is needed to ensure that they comply with the relevant standards. By choosing to use the services of an advisor, the pressure of conforming to industry rules is lessened.
The CDM advisor provides support through the whole process. In the initial planning stages, they can help the lead designer or project manager to ensure that the scope and approach taking to the project is compliant. They can also help with paperwork, include legal necessities such as informing HSE or other institutions, as required. This support then continues through the project. Building sites are constantly evolving, and what may not be a risk one week may become a risk over time. The continual support means that your team stay ahead of the situation. At the end of the project, the advisor can ensure a smooth handover by making sure that the paperwork and processes are complete.
This legal and regulatory support is greatly important for many building firms. The reality is that few businesses have anyone with the experience of depth of knowledge to ensure that everything is carried out to the correct standard. For the majority of companies, it is simply not worth the cost of training or hiring such a person on a full time basis. By using the services of a professional CDM advisor, you can benefit from professional CDM Advice whilst saving money.
At Construction Safety, we have the national and international safety consultants for all your building projects. We provide reliable training packages for the construction industry, as well as advisory services. Our specialists are ready to provide you with the self-build CDM advice and assistance that you need. For the best choice of CDM safety Surrey has to offer, get in touch with us today. You will not find a better combination of expertise and competitive prices anywhere else.