Following the introduction of the new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015 earlier this month, TrustMark is providing support and advice to help heating and plumbing installers comply with the significant health and safety requirements that now apply to all home improvements and building work.
From 6 April, the new regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects, have applied to all domestic projects for the first time regardless of the size, duration and nature of the work. Replacing CDM 2007, this new piece of legislation is designed to help improve health and safety and reduce accidents during building projects.
Building firms need to review their health and safety processes to ensure they are compliant with the new law. Failure to comply with the new regulations could risk future sales of a property if the homeowner cannot produce the required paperwork – specifically for many jobs, a health and safety file, which outlines how the work was undertaken and what was installed. The HSE is also likely to target domestic jobs for more frequent inspections.
The key changes include:
Simon Ayers, chief executive of TrustMark, says: “These new CDM 2015 Regulations will help to reduce accidents during building projects by involving everyone – architects, builders and the homeowner. It’s a positive step forward to helping everyone enjoy a safe working relationship on all home improvements and building projects.
“It is important now that all TrustMark-registered firms get the detailed guidance they need in order to ensure they are fully compliant. I’m delighted our approved scheme operators in this sector, including the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES), are already busy providing this support to their TrustMark–registered firms.”
For further information and to stay up-to-date with developments at TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk
For further information on the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015, click on www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg411.pdf or www.citb.co.uk/health-safety-and-other-topics/health-safety/construction-design-and-management-regulations/ for industry guidance documents.
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