New CDM regulations will not become law until spring 2007, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It has also promised an Approved Code of Practice by next year and extra guidance.

The Construction Confederation welcomed the decision. Chief executive Stephen Ratcliffe said: "Moving the proposed implementation date back gives us more time to prepare guidance for our members."

The new regulations, which are set to beef up the role of planning supervisor and make clients more accountable for health and safety, were due to come into effect from 1 October this year, but a consultation last summer convinced the HSE to delay.

The Construction Clients Group (CCG) said that any move would unfairly pin blame for poor safety on the client, and criticised the proposals for not specifying what made a competent project co-ordinator, which will replace the current planning supervisor. The Association for Project Safety (APS) also raised concerns that planning supervisors would be expected to assume the more onerous responsibilities of project co-ordinators.

Source

Construction Manager