Construction
Common Questions
Construction work means the carrying out of building, civil engineering or engineering construction work. The following operations are not considered to be construction works in themselves and so CDM will not apply to them:
- The putting up and taking down of marquees (and similar tents) designed to be re-erected at various locations.
- Tree planting and general horticultural work.
- Archaeological investigations.
- The positioning and removal of lightweight partitions such as those used to divide open-plan offices or to create exhibition stands and displays.
- The erection of scaffolds for support or access for work activities which are not in themselves construction work.
- Surveying work. This includes taking levels and making measurements and examinations of structures for faults. Drilling boreholes is considered to be exploration and investigation work and so is construction work subject to CDM.
Some construction projects may include some of these and other operations which are not themselves construction work. Where this is the case the overlap between the construction and non-construction works should be addressed within the health and safety plan for the construction operations.
What does demolition and dismantling
include?
Demolition will be taken to mean the deliberate pulling down,
destruction or taking apart of a structure, or a substantial part
of a structure. Similarly, dismantling will be considered to be the
taking down or taking apart of all, or a substantial part of a
structure. Dismantling for re-erection or re-use will be considered
to attract CDM duties on the same way as demolition or dismantling
of a structure where no re-use was proposed. HSE does not consider
that construction operations such as the making of openings for
doors, windows, services etc. stripping cladding, removing roof
tiles and similar operations to be demolition or dismantling in
themselves. Where these operations are combined with other
operations they may together form demolition and dismantling
projects.
Whenever demolition work is involved there is the potential for premature collapse. When designers prepare designs or schedules of work involving demolition they should consider structural stability and include relevant information with their designs. However, other works, which fall outside the scope of demolition, can also threaten the stability of structures. Designers should also consider how structural stability can be maintained and provide relevant information when preparing designs for such projects.
Is taking down a scaffolding
dismantling?
The erection and taking down of a scaffold used for the purposes of
construction is construction work. The striking of a scaffold will
not be considered to be the demolition or dismantling of a
structure.
When is work on fixed plant subject to CDM?
The installation, commissioning, decommissioning and dismantling of
fixed plant is subject to CDM. Fixed plant is frequently connected
to mechanical, electrical and similar services. Some fixed plant
can be supported by a separate structure. Work on these associated
services and structures will be construction work subject to
CDM.
Does CDM apply to "non-work" activities?
CDM only applies to construction projects involving people who are at work. CDM can apply to projects involving people who are not at work if sufficient other people are at work on a construction work on the project. For example:
- A charity may employ people to manage and direct the work done by volunteers.
- Groups of "self-builders" may form a company to administer the works on behalf of the group. They may then hire in professionals to do some operations e.g. specialist groundwork - the specialist would therefore be at work.
Whether CDM applies or not does not influence the application of any other safety laws.
What work is included in a project?
A project includes all the construction work required to achieve the end result desired by the Client. In general Clients want a fully operational building, a fully functioning plant or a refurbished or repaired building. The project encompasses all the design, planning and construction work involved.
In general all the works required to complete the building or structure should be considered together as a project. HSE inspectors will closely scrutinize any suggestions that the construction industry produces buildings or other structures by a number of projects running in a series e.g. a project to construct foundations followed by a project to erect a frame etc.
The client (BBC) retains all duties under these regulations until formal appointments are made, the BBC Standard prevents the BBC from taking on the role of Principal Contractor.
Can a person discharge more than one CDM duty?
An individual or company can discharge more than one CDM function. It is not necessary for individuals or companies with CDM duties to be independent of one another. It is possible for all the duties to be discharged by the same company.
Yes appointments can be changed as the project progresses. For example, the project may be in distinct phases or the nature of the project may change because of unforeseen circumstances. These phases may require different competencies.
Are Clients required to monitor their
appointees?
Yes, CDM does require Clients to monitor the performance of their
appointees once those appointees have begun work on a particular
project. Further guidance can be found in the BBC CDM Standard and
the
industry guidance.
Should the CDM Coordinator monitor site
conditions?
CDM does not require the CDM Coordinator to assess the performance
on site of the Principal Contractor. The overall responsibility for
controlling and monitoring site health and safety standards lies
with the Principal Contractor.
How many Principal Contractors can there
be for each project?
There should be only one principal contractor at any one time for
any one project. A core aim of CDM is to ensure that construction
work is planned and co-ordinated throughout the life-cycle of the
project. There should be clear responsibility and a single
principal contractor responsible for the management and
co-ordination of all construction phase health and safety
issues.
Designers are responsible for those elements of the design over which they can exert influence. Many building elements, items of plant and other products (e.g., lintels, window frames and air handling units) are produced in a factory in a range of standard sizes and designs. These products are then selected and used by the project designers as those designers think fit on the basis of their expertise and the information available on the project. Designers must take account of health and safety issues in their designs, including those arising from product specifications and how they are incorporated into the design.
When designers identify a significant hazard they should do what is reasonably practical to eliminate it or reduce the risk. If they cannot do this because of constraints imposed by other designers, the consequences of these constraints should be bought to the attention of those other designers. All project designers have a duty to co-operate with each other to eliminate hazards and reduce risks.
Are designers permitted to specify fragile materials?
Avoiding the use of unprotected fragile materials is one of the most obvious ways in which designers can eliminate construction hazards. Every year many people are killed and seriously injured when they fall through fragile materials, particularly roof lights.
Fragile materials is a general term covering sheets which appear solid, but which can give way suddenly when they are subject to impact or point-loading. Typical fragile materials are asbestos and similar cement sheets, plastic roof lights and glazing. These materials are all widely used in various types of roof. Any of them can give-way unexpectedly. HSE considers that designers should not specify fragile materials in their design unless they have a very clear justification for doing so. Where a suitable non-fragile material is not available other protective measures should be specified.
We have commissioned a contractor to build a welded steel structure at his premises for a production in a television studio, do the BBC hot work requirements apply?
Not for work carried out within his premises. However if modifications or adaptations to the structure involving welding in the studio then the BBC hot work requirements will apply.
At a location, which is a timber framed listed building, our scenery contractor has suggested that he cuts steel angle sections with a disc cutter and welds them together inside the building to reduce cost. Is this OK?
A suitable and sufficient risk assessment would almost certainly establish that the risks related to fire cannot be reduced to so low as is reasonably practicable. Better to carry out a site survey, to determine the exact size of structure needed, and then prefabricate off site.
Essential circumstances dictate that we flame cut away some redundant steelwork on location, what measures does the contractor need to put in place?
The contractor's risk assessment must identify the following requirements:
- Competent staff to do the work, with adequate information, instruction and training;
- Risk assessment exchanged with others sharing a workplace;
- A fire safety plan including the provision of portable extinguishers;
- The creation of a safe work area with permit to enter controls;
- A post activity inspection in order to check for latent fire risk.
BBC People Intranet Manager (02) 24008 | Page last updated: 14/07/2008
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