Health and Safety and CDM The Truth Uncovered!

I once asked a group of Architects I was presenting a CDM course to;

"on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your understanding of the CDM regs"?

Most said 5 but a number said 1 to 2, I knew this would be the general consensus, however it was still strange hearing a well respected Architectural practice admitting their complete lack of understanding.

Is this a worrying scenario? well in short yes, the success of the CDM regs isn't wholly dependant on the competency of the CDM Coordinator to "get the message across", it's success will be the result of industry understanding and recognition. There are many anomolies in life, particualrly in the appliction of law or regulation. However CDM has been an enigma for far too long. Complaints I often hear;

- "we never see the CDM Coordinator on the job"

- "what does a CDM coordinator actually do"?

- " surely the CDM regs are about improving health and safety on sites"

-"the CDMC gets involved at the start and finish of a project"

These are all common complaints developed over time and have been pretty consistent since 1994, I honestly thought the new regs would give the CDMC some status on projects. it would put an end to the endless reems of paperwork produced,it would help Clients and Designers alike to better understand the CDM regs. However unfortunately none of this seems to of happened.

I honestly fear for the CDMC role itself if things dont change, it'll always be viewed as a tick in the box for Clients who will never pay the fee that a godd CDMC warrants. It seems like Health and Safety in general, until something goes wrong nobody ever seems to appreciate Health and Safety.

On the bright side the Chartered status of IOSH has certainly added credibility to the industry, even thoug I still find myself explaining it is a Chartered Institute.