Designers

CDM 2007 recognises the key role designers have in construction health and safety projects. The aim of the regulations is to ensure that designers do not produce designs which cannot be constructed, used or maintained in reasonable safety and with proper consideration of health issues. Designers also need to recognise that the amount of effort put in to eliminating hazards and reducing risk should depend upon the degree of risk.

• Designers shall not commence work in relation to the project unless their client is aware of their duties under the regulations. This, in turn, will help to ensure that the client’s requirements are clearly understood by encouraging discussion and co-operation.
• A new duty placed on the designer is, as far as is reasonably practicable, to ‘eliminate hazards which may give rise to risks’ and to ‘reduce risks from any remaining hazards’. This is a new requirement and requires designers to consider if they are introducing a hazardous material or process. In practice there are potential hazards in almost everything, so a pragmatic view will need to be taken of all of the factors to be considered in the design. These factors will include health and safety, cost, fitness for purpose, aesthetics, feasibility, maintenance and environmental impact.
• The regulations do not prescribe design outcomes, but they do require designers to consider the various factors, and to reach reasoned, professional decisions.