Pictured: Darron Owen
Companies involved in building projects risk falling foul of
construction legislation if they assume that their contractors are
complying with regulations, according to building experts at
national commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton
(LSH).
Many companies whose core business doesn't involve construction
work, but are engaged in one-off construction projects, may not
realise that they have a responsibility to ensure that construction
design and management regulations are being followed.
Darron Owen, Director of Building Consultancy in LSH's
Birmingham office said, "The Construction Design and Management
regulations of 2007 are very clear in laying out that although a
company may not be carrying out the work themselves, they are
responsible for compliance with the regulations, which are
proscriptive in the duties they impose."
He added, "Recent research by the British Property Federation
and the Construction Clients Group found that two thirds of
companies rely on contractors and others to comply with the
regulations. In fact the same proportion hadn't even heard of CDM
regulations or didn't know where to get information about them
"This is a very worrying situation and could put companies on
the wrong side of the law. The regulations put responsibilities for
building site health and safety on the company or individual who
commissions the work, and also covers issues such as hazardous
waste and asbestos. If the worst should happen, the law holds the
client responsible, not the contractor."
Michele Wright, LSH's Senior CDM and Health and Safety
Co-ordinator advised companies embarking on construction projects
to take advice on their responsibilities before the project
started.
"The Health and Safety Executive produces a guidance document
which covers planning projects, choosing contractors, regulations
when working on site, keeping track of progress and reviewing.
These are important guidelines for good contractor management.
While a company may not be carrying out the work themselves, or
even managing it, they need to understand all of the implications
of the work and what could go wrong. Everything from site layout,
to employee welfare, to necessary training and instruction has to
be considered before work begins. The right advice is vital," she
said.
For more information about Lambert Smith Hampton, please visit
their website here: www.lsh.co.uk