5
PRO INSTALLER MAY 2015
PRO NEWS
@proinstaller1
New legislation to
protect workers
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
(CDM) came into force on 6th April 2015 and has implications
for all construction, maintenance and repair work.
Previously, the majority
of CDM requirements
were only relevant for
larger projects which
were notifiable to the
HSE.
The full scope of the new
regulations are now relevant
for all defined construction
work including small main-
tenance tasks and work on
domestic property. Notification criteria has altered
slightly and is applicable to
qualifying domestic work
for the first time.
Clients responsibilities
have been enhanced: They
have overall responsibility
for safety, ensuring those
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they appoint have the right
skills, knowledge and experience to do the job, and fulfil their duties. Client duties
are passed to the principal
contractor on domestic projects, but homeowners can
be held accountable if they
make a neglectful decision
which leads to a serious failing. Pre-construction (or site
hazard) information must be
collated before work starts.
Also, a Construction Phase
Plan must be created before
any construction work is
undertaken, and if there
is more than one contractor a Health & Safety file
developed by the principal
designer must be handed to
the client on completion. If
they finish their work before
the end of the job, which is
very possible on someone’s
home, this becomes the
principal contractors duty.
This contains information
of what was installed, by
whom and how.
It’s the smaller jobs where
most people are injured or
seriously hurt, not, as you
might expect, larger con-
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struction sites where there
are more resources and
greater supervision of workers. The construction industry has the largest number
of occupational cancer cases
with 3500 deaths and 5500
new cancer registrations
each year.
The aim of the new legislation is to make everyone
think before a spade is put
into the ground, a wall is
brought down, a new basement propped, or a surface
of unknown construction
drilled.
The HSE commissioned
research at the end of 2014
which asked homeowners
how they choose their contractors, and very few mentioned safety unless they
had children in the house.
This may have to change
in the future if, having
completed a new bathroom,
conservatory or extension,
the purchaser requests a
Health & Safety file which
has never been created, and
results in potential delays
or complications with the
sale.
Gesture of
Kindness
The VEKA UK Group
has named the Encephalitis Society as
its nominated charity
for 2015, announcing
a series of events that
will take place over
the course of the year
to raise funds for the
support and research
organisation.
Gabriela Hammond, Head
of Human Resources at
The VEKA UK Group commented: “This is a cause
that’s close to our hearts
and, as such, The VEKA
UK Group is dedicating a
full year’s support to the
society as opposed to the
normal six-months.
“Fundraising got off to
a flying start in January,
with many staff members
staying ‘dry’ for the month
in return for sponsorship
money! March’s Network
VEKA AGM saw members
donate over £700 to use
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the ‘70s-themed props,
supplied for the evening’s
entertainment – an amazingly generous contribution to make in just one
day.
“If you’d like to keep up
with The VEKA UK Group’s
fundraising activities, news
is regularly posted on both
its website and social media accounts. There is a lot
more planned that we’re
welcoming customers and
suppliers to get involved
with too.
“There are charity runs,
sponsored bike rides and
the annual VEKA golf
day to look forward to.
And, for those who enjoy
their sport more from the
comfort of an armchair, the
Euro football sweepstake
always proves a popular
money-spinner.” Gabriela
adds.
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