The key aim of Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007 is to integrate health and safety into the management of construction projects, regardless of size, and encourage everyone to work together to:
• improve the planning and management of projects from the outset
• identify hazards early on, so they can be eliminated or reduced at the design or planning stage and the remaining risks can be properly managed
• target effort where it can do the most good in terms of health and safety
• discourage unnecessary bureaucracy.
All these things can be proven to show financial savings for the client.
These Regulations aim to focus attention on planning and management throughout construction projects, from design concept onwards. The intention is for health and safety considerations to be treated as an essential, but normal part of a project’s development – not an afterthought or bolt-on extra.
Time and thought invested at the start of the project will pay dividends not only in improved health and safety, but also in:
• reductions in the cost of ownership, because the structure is designed for safe and easy maintenance and cleaning, and because key information is available in the health and safety file
• reduced delays
• more reliable costings and completion dates
• improved communication and co-operation between key parties
• improved quality of the finished product.
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Blue Planet is a member of the Association for Project Safety and British Safety Council.
