Why drag yourself out of the office to an industry seminar when you can watch one from the comfort of your own desk? Alex Smith sings the praises of webinars …

Industry seminars are great. They offer a quick way of getting up to speed on big industry issues and allow you to put questions directly to those in the know.

But they do have their disadvantages: that early start, the hours on the road and the lukewarm coffee and sticky pastry on your arrival. It also means a day away from the office or site. And then there’s the cost.

This is where Building’s new “webinars” come in. These online seminars mean everybody with a computer can attend seminars for free.

Our first seminar, “CDM 2007: What it Means for You”, on recent changes to the CDM regulations, is a must for anybody concerned with health and safety on site – from the client to the consultant and builder.

Experts from the Health and Safety Executive and those who drafted the changes will be on hand to answer your questions online at 12pm on 24 May. Each speaker will deliver a live presentation and a question and answer session will be chaired by Denise Chevin, Building’s editor.

The speakers will explain the responsibilities of the client and design team and define the role of the CDM co-ordinator. The role of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations of 1992 will be explained and there will be a section on how CDM 2007 can simplify health and safety management.

The beauty of the webinar is that you can watch it live or on the web site for the next six months.This means you can watch it at a convenient time. And if there’s something you want to bring to the attention of a colleague, just forward a link …

Postscript

Alex Smith is web editor

To register for the CDM 2007 webinar visit www.building.co.uk/CDMwebinar or click on the banners on the Building website