The Construction Clients Group (CCG) has come out strongly against changes to the CDM Regulations that would pin blame for poor safety on the client.

Chris Morley, chief executive of the CCG, criticised the proposals for not specifying what makes a competent project coordinator, the new, beefier role that replace the current planning supervisor. He said clients have to figure that out for themselves.

“Considering that they are proposing that the client should be legally responsible for the actions of the coordinator, lack of clarity creates real concern,” he said.

He also criticised the draft legislation’s failure to distinguish between one-off clients and those who build often. He said the proposals overestimate the influence one-off clients can have on site safety.

“To impose such degree of responsibility on even the fish and chip shop manager commissioning an extension is surely madness,” he said.

The consultation period was due to end 29 July, but was extended to take in the CCG’s comments. This late contention may push the new CDM’s enshrinement into law back until April 2007.

Source

Construction Manager