Management and Administration - CDM, Health & Safety

CDM & Health and Safety

Health and Safety is a fundamental consideration for all architects and designers. It should be part of everyday working both with activities inside the office and on every project. There is both a legal and professional responsibility to ensure understanding and application of health and safety principles at all times.

This Health and Safety policy sets out the standards and principles for the practice. It is important that all staff familiarise themselves with the contents and ensure that they refer to it when appropriate. If staff are in any doubt over the application or requirements at any time they must ensure that issues are discussed with their line manager or a senior member of staff.

CDM is generally project related not contract related. The purpose of CDM is to integrate health and safety considerations in the design process and coordinate management of health and safety from inception to completion (and beyond) Using competent contractors means the only really important risks are from the unusual no-standard circumstances of a particular project. Make health and safety part of the design process not a paper exercise at the end of the design process. HSE realise that the design process should not be dominated by risk avoidance but involve a balanced judgement of a range of considerations. The requirements of CDM are to be undertaken as far as reasonably practical.

Documentation needed for Health and Safety

CDM Regulations 2007: included in ACoP

ACoP (Managing Health and Safety in Construction, CDM Regs 2007, Approved Code of Practice

Industry Guidance documents on CDM 2007 from Construction Skills

Construction Industry Council CDM 2007 Construction Work Sector Guidance for Designers: A Gilbertson: CIRIA 2007

SAVI architects ensure our staff understands the contents of RIBA Health and Safety document and when to apply them. Our staff looks out for their own safety first and ensure they never put themselves at risk. Our employees also ensure that they understand what is required of them and compliance with practice’s policies.