CMD Regulations under Criticism
In 2007 the government introduced the Construction (Design and Management) – CDM – Regulations that were put in place to standardise health and safety guidelines for construction projects. A report conducted by the British Property Federation (BPF) revealed that two thirds of companies that commission building projects have not even heard of these regulations. The main offenders are clients who are not regularly part of construction work.
The CDM regulations have been criticised for increasing the cost of construction and the level of administration involved in meeting compliancy levels. Clients are also unaware that failure to meet the health and safety terms leaves them in danger of facing severe penalties including unlimited fines and even a prison sentence.
Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation commented on the backlash by saying, “Health and safety is something which organisations should manage as carefully as their balance sheets. It is clear from the research that this message is not permeating outside of the regular client community and at a time where the construction industry is suffering under huge cuts, it is vital we do not up the burden further.”
Industry groups wants the government to revisit the regulations and make sure that everyone who commissions construction projects understands exactly what health and safety measures they need to put in place.
