3 June 2004 - Improvements in Designer CDM Performance is 'Encouraging'
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors have been encouraged by signs that designers in the construction industry are becoming aware of their responsibilities to design out health and safety risks as set out by Regulation 13 of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994 (CDM).
During April 2004, 122 sites across Scotland and the North of England were visited by HSE inspectors in order to meet designers and planning supervisors to discuss what they had done, during the design stage, to reduce the risks from work at height for workers on site during construction and those carrying out future maintenance.
Work at height continues to be the most significant cause of fatal accidents on construction sites in the UK, responsible for around 40% of all deaths.
Kevin Myers, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction commented:
“The
results of this latest initiative are a welcome sign that the awareness and
good practice we know exists among some is beginning to percolate out into
the wider design community.
“Analysis of designer performance suggests a marked improvement in
comparison with a similar initiative conducted in March 2003. In particular,
positive progress appears to have been made in relation to designers'
knowledge of the law, training, and the practical steps that should be taken
to reduce risks on site.”
In the 2004 initiative HSE inspectors found that:
-
60% of those visited were judged to have adequate or good knowledge of their legal duties under CDM and other relevant legislation. This compares with 33% reported in 2003
-
nearly 62% of designers had effectively succeeded in minimising the risks associated with work at height during construction and maintenance. This compares with 34% (construction) and 33% (maintenance) reported in 2003.
Although these figures are promising, they indicate that many designers are still falling short of the required standard. Particularly with respect to the poor quality of paperwork such as design risk assessments. A number of the problems highlighted in the 2003 initiative were again encountered by inspectors, with inspectors issuing written advice to over 20 designers during the 2004 initiative.
The report ‘Designer Initiative 2004, HSE (Construction Division) Scotland, North West and Newcastle Offices’ can be found here.
