HSE aims for ‘more sensible’ pre-qualification in shake-up
HSE construction chief Philip White has told that he hoped to present the package - which will make substantial changes to Construction Design and Management regulations - to the board by spring.
CDM regulations place legal duties on virtually all construction workers and aim to ensure staff are equipped to properly manage risks in the workplace.
The review will primarily target the Approved Code of Practice, competence requirements and the CDM co-ordinator role.
Mr White also said it would include a more “sensible and balanced” approach to pre-qualification, much of which was currently “not practical and proportional”.
Mr White revealed last year that a revised CDM regulations package was being worked up.
The ACP sets out the legal health and safety duties placed on clients, designers and contractors.
CDM co-ordinators, meanwhile, are a key project adviser for clients, responsible for co-ordinating health and safety on larger projects.
Proposed changes to the role include giving the co-ordinating function to client-side workers, such as project designers and managers, rather than to appointees.
Mr White said the shake-up was aimed at making the regulations “much more simple and straightforward”.
The changes aren’t intended to change technical standards on site, but will alter the management framework that delivers these standards.
Once the package is taken to the board, a 12-week consultation period will begin.
“One of the things we will want to address in consultation is these issues on pre-qualification”, said Mr White.
“What is the most sensible and balanced way to do this, so that we’re not generating paperwork for paperwork’s sake”.
The HSE yesterday launched its annual site inspection drive, targeting small sites, refurbishment projects and repairs and maintenance.