Health & Safety
Management of health and safety of any construction project no matter how big or small is probably the most important consideration of any of the services within this website.
The CDM Regulations have significantly changed as of 6th April 2015 and with this latest reform, it is now you the client with whom the responsibility is firmly placed.
At Primmer Olds B.A.S we are above all approachable and are more than willing to discuss your project requirements relating to health and safety and the obligations it may carry for you. We can then act for you as Principal Designer to ensure that your obligations under the regulations are fulfilled.
Our health and safety competence does not stop at CDM Regulations 2015. We can also work with you on existing portfolios to ensure statutory testing and management is in place by Health and Safety Management Audits and Fire Risk Assessments.
CDM Regulations 2015
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) came into force on 6th April 2015, replacing CDM 2007.
The new updated regulations are now very specific on the role of the client as well as that of specific duty holders. Ultimate responsibility none the less remains with the client and the instructions he has made and it is his responsibility to ensure his duty holders are competent and skilled to fulfil their instruction.
Under the regulations A CLIENT is:
“An organisation or individual for whom a construction project is carried out. The Regulations now extend to smaller Domestic build projects”.
Originally the Construction Design and Management Regulations came into effect in 1994 although have, in more recent years, undergone many significant changes with the most notable change, prior to the latest, being that of 2007.
As of 6th April 2015, the latest regulatory update is arguably the most significant yet and one which has seen the CDM Coordinator replaced by the Principal Designer.
The client has a duty of care to ensure they have fully considered, understood and mitigated their responsibilities under the regulations. Under the 2015 regulations the client is recognised as having a major influence over the way the project is designed, managed and controlled and must make formal appointments accordingly.
Under the latest overhaul of the regulations a project (including those of a domestic nature) is CDM Notifiable if the construction work is scheduled to:
- Last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project.
- Exceed 500 person days
- A record of the protective and preventative measures already in place to control the risks
- What further action, if any, needs to be taken to reduce risk sufficiently
The above considered even small domestic projects require a level of health and safety management and ensuring that any contractors are competent in their field and duty.
Feel free to check out the Resources section of our website where we have usefully provided a copy of the latest CDM 2015 Regulations.
Fire Risk Assessments
The Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005 came into force on 1st October 2006 and relates to all premises, with very few exceptions. It places responsibility on those who are best placed to address fire safety and ensure that risks, which may change over time, are kept under review.
Under the Fire Safety Order a ‘responsible person’ (usually the owner, landlord, employer, or occupier of a business or industrial premises) must carry out a Fire Risk Assessment. Responsible persons under the Order are required, following a risk assessment, to implement appropriate fire safety measures to minimise the risk to life from fire and to keep the assessment up to date.
Primmer Olds B.A.S have extensive experience in undertaking Fire Risk Assessments for client property portfolios. Our Fire Risk Assessment Audit is reviewed in line with changes to the regulations ensuring that we are best placed to capture any legislation revisions or changes when drafting, reviewing or updating Fire Risk Assessments on behalf of responsible persons in client organisations.
Upon completion of the Fire Risk Assessment, significant findings and action points are recorded. Any significant findings found shall have supporting notes included within the Fire Risk Assessment providing:
Our ongoing relationships with clients who have appointed us in connection with this area of expertise has resulted in us further advising and managing any improvement works required to ensure our clients' premises comply with the required fire safety regulations.