The recently introduced Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) means that companies in this space, among others, must adhere to the existing regulations that were revoked earlier this year.
Brewery planning, consultancy and installation firm FMA Process Engineering has highlighted the key areas breweries need to consider before them commit to the next stage of expansion or change at their business.
FMA’s engineering director Geoff Fisher explained: “It is essential that organisations are fully aware of their new duties and adhere to them. There is a transitional period for the new requirements that runs until 6 October 2015, but only applies to projects started before 6 April 2015.”
Central to this is that under CDM 2015 Regulations, the role of CDM Co-ordinator (under CDM 2007) has been removed and a new Principal Designer role has been created, which can be held by an individual or an organisation.
According to FMA, the responsibility for planning, managing, monitoring and co-ordinating the pre-construction phase of a project now lies with that new entity – the Principal Designer.
They explain: However, the client must take steps to ensure those appointed are competent and that they carry out their duties accordingly.
“This includes making suitable arrangements for managing the project in question, providing all necessary pre-construction information, including the preparation of a project or client’s brief, and ensuring that proper welfare facilities are provided.
“In essence, the 2015 CDM Regulations recognise the influence and status of the client as the head of the supply chain and, in doing so, give that individual or organisation ultimate responsibility for setting, controlling and maintaining standards throughout the project.
“Put simply, the client (the individual or organisation) is now directly accountable for the impact of its decisions on – and approach to – project health, safety and welfare.”
Fisher added: “Principal Designers are required to co-ordinate all the designers on a project, to lead design review meetings, to liaise with the Principal Contractor, to obtain and collate the pre-construction information and to develop and prepare the health and safety file.
“In other words, the Principal Designer function is intended to integrate health and safety considerations into the design process, balancing and co-ordinating health and safety and design from the initial design stage.”
For more information on how these regulations can impact your business, read the full paper in the September issue of The Brewer’s Journal.
