The Regulations will revise and bring together provisions in the existing CDM Regulations 1994 and the Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 into a single regulatory package.

Richard Boland, Head of HSE's Construction Policy, said; ''I am delighted that the revised regulatory package has been approved by the Commission. We remain on target for the Regulations coming into force in April next year. Over the last four years we have worked in partnership with the industry to simplify and add clarity to construction health and safety law so that risks on site can be properly managed. We will continue to work together to make sure that the new provisions and ACoP improve standards of health and safety management in our industry."

Small firms
At the open meeting, Commission members discussed the effect of the Regulations on small and medium sized businesses - particularly small clients - in light of some concerns. The Commission noted that the Regulations do not impose new duties on clients. They make explicit what clients should already be doing as a result of existing duties in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

It was stated that clear, simple guidance for SMEs and clients is being developed by industry, which will be crucial in helping smaller clients, addressing misconceptions and alleviating concerns. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) agreed to report back to the Commission in January 2007 on progress with these issues.

The Commission Paper, discussed at the October 2006 meeting, can be viewed at HSE's website. The Regulations and ACoP are contained in this paper at Annexes 5 and 6.

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Susie Hughes © Hardhatter 2006
The Editor