21st November 2005, 10:59 AM
I agree that the spirit of the law should be followed as much as possible, however to clarify, the requirements for CDM regulations (as expressed in the HSE's own literature) are
1. CDM applies to all demolition and
structural dismantling work, except where
it is undertaken for a domestic client.
2. CDM applies to most construction projects.
There are a number of situations where
CDM does not apply. These include:
- some small-scale projects which are
exempt from some aspects of CDM;
- construction work for domestic clients,
(although there are always duties on
the designer, and the contractor should
notify HSE where appropriate);
- construction work carried out inside
offices and shops, or similar premises,
that does not interrupt the normal
activities in the premises and is not
separated from those activities;
- the maintenance or removal of
insulation on pipes, boilers or other parts of heating or water systems
'Some small-scale projects' specifically means 'projects that do not last longer than 30 days and do not employ more than 4 people', so some archaeological work will fall outside the scope of the CDM regulations.
This is the HSE index page to many of the publications relating to this issue...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/conindex.htm
On it you can find the 'Absolutely Essential Toolkit' for the smaller construction contractor...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg344.pdf
...and various CDM-related guidelines, including 'the Health and Safety plan during the construction phase'...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis43.pdf
...and perhaps most importantly for us, EXCAVATIONS!
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis08.pdf
Hope this information is helpful.
1. CDM applies to all demolition and
structural dismantling work, except where
it is undertaken for a domestic client.
2. CDM applies to most construction projects.
There are a number of situations where
CDM does not apply. These include:
- some small-scale projects which are
exempt from some aspects of CDM;
- construction work for domestic clients,
(although there are always duties on
the designer, and the contractor should
notify HSE where appropriate);
- construction work carried out inside
offices and shops, or similar premises,
that does not interrupt the normal
activities in the premises and is not
separated from those activities;
- the maintenance or removal of
insulation on pipes, boilers or other parts of heating or water systems
'Some small-scale projects' specifically means 'projects that do not last longer than 30 days and do not employ more than 4 people', so some archaeological work will fall outside the scope of the CDM regulations.
This is the HSE index page to many of the publications relating to this issue...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/conindex.htm
On it you can find the 'Absolutely Essential Toolkit' for the smaller construction contractor...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg344.pdf
...and various CDM-related guidelines, including 'the Health and Safety plan during the construction phase'...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis43.pdf
...and perhaps most importantly for us, EXCAVATIONS!
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis08.pdf
Hope this information is helpful.