CDM Regulations helped London 2012 Olympics, says Report

All those appointed as, or using, CDM Co-ordinators will be interested to read the recently-issued Research Report carried out by Frontline Consultants for the HSE and the Institute of Civil Engineers.

The aim of the project was to research the extent to which CDM helped, or hindered, the huge London 2012 construction project. This was done by reviewing how the CDM duties were put into practice by all parties.

Frontline carried out interviews with ODA Sponsors, Designers, CDM Coordinators, Tier 1 Contractors and CLM Project Managers across nine projects. They also conducted a ‘structured workshop’ involving a number of duty holders from a range of projects.

The key finding of the Report is that the CDM Regulations 2007 was extended and implemented successfully in this major multi-building Olympic Park construction project.

For those who are not already familiar with the latest form of CDM, it is outlined by the health and safety consultants used here as follows:

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is responsible, with its main delivery partner CLM, a consortium of CH2M Hill, Laing O’Rourke and Mace, for the creation of the Park and its venues. It was found that these bodies had a significant positive impact on health and safety in the delivery of the project, having ensured early and continuing plans and co-ordination with Contractors, who were involved at each stage. ODM in particular is credited with setting the health and safety tone from the first day and reinforcing this daily by words and actions.

The ideas of the Contractors were shared, in a way that might not happen in other competitive situations, and lessons were learned by all as a result of the dialogue.

The researchers found that worker involvement did take place, with the result of motivating them and getting across the important messages that had to be conveyed. Supervisors were trained to give daily activity briefings to their workers.

What was the finding in relation to CDM Co-ordinators?  The Report states, “By appointing CDM Coordinators and Contractors early, advantages were gained from identifying risks early and using the experience of the Contractors in conjunction with that of Designers to improve buildability, reduce cost and time as well as improve health and safety. With better planning, there was less re-work, quicker completion and easier handover”. The CDM Coordinators also played their part in challenging the ways of doing things, thus improving risk management, alongside the client, designers and contractors.

The CDM Coordinator’s role is to provide the Client with a key project advisor in respect of construction health and safety risk management matters; the Coordinator should assist and advise the Client on the appointment of competent contractors and the adequacy of management arrangements; should ensure proper co-ordination of the health and safety aspects of the design process; should facilitate good communication and co-operation between project team members; and prepare the health and safety file.

If you need to find a qualified CDM Co-ordinator for your forthcoming project, consult McCormack Benson Health & Safety Consultants.