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CDM 20-20 vision – changing the culture

CDM 20-20 vision – changing the culture

Does the construction industry understand the CDM Regulations in their entirety? This is a new report providing much needed clarity on the management arrangements for all projects.

Since 2015, Construction Industry Council’s (CIC) Health & Safety Champion has chaired its Health & Safety committee and Construction Industry Advisory Committee’s (CONIAC), Keeping Pace With Change (KPWC) working group, leading to the production of a number of important reports relating to CDM.

Over the last six years, members of the CIC Health and Safety Committee have been leading the training and influencing of construction professionals to apply the principles underpinning the CDM regulations strategically and practically, in order to deliver even more successful projects.

The first report of the KPWC working group ‘CDM 2015 – from compliance to consultation and collaboration’, published in 2019, set out to demonstrate how the professional institutions have taken on the challenge from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to enable their members to develop the skills, knowledge and experience to discharge their legal duties effectively and included accounts from CIAT, ICE, RIBA and RICS. The report also contained case studies from three early adopter clients, Network Rail, InterGen and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

This latest report ‘CDM 20-20 vision-changing the culture’, launched today by CIC sets out the management arrangements for a range of projects, from small domestic building schemes to major infrastructure programmes, which are practical and CDM compliant. The strategic CDM approach promoted in this report aligns well with the philosophy of other, recent initiatives such as Project 13 and the Construction Playbook.

The KPWC group are working with the HSE, who provided advice to the authors, along with various institutions and influential individuals to promote the philosophy and resources in the report across all sectors of the Construction Industry by December 2021.

Construction Industry Council, 26 Store Street, London, WC1E 7BT Tel. 020 7399 7400 Fax. 020 7399 7425 www.cic.org.uk

CIC Chief Executive Graham Watts OBE said of the publication of the report, “We are delighted to be badging this document along that of the KPWC under CONIAC/Acting Together Steering Group. The aim of CDM 20-20 vision is to use a range of case studies based on different construction scenarios to demonstrate how CDM-compliant management arrangements can be achieved; this innovative approach requires a strategic analysis of the relevant CDM features of the particular project to be carried in the early stages, by the project leadership, to agree on what is required by the duty-holders before work starts in earnest.”

To view the full report please click here.

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Post-implementation review

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Post-implementation review

From May 2021 HSE will be seeking the views of a wide range of stakeholders about the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. This exercise is part of a second post implementation review (PIR) of the regulations, following the first PIR published in 2017.

The review will seek to establish if the regulations continue to meet their objectives, remain appropriate and are still the best means to minimise exposure to asbestos.

The exercise, using an online survey, will open in late May. Look out for further details next month.

Stress Talking Toolkit launched for construction sector

Stress Talking Toolkit launched for construction sector

Developed with the help of industry stakeholders, HSE has published a work-related Stress Talking Toolkit for the construction sector.

Starting the conversation is an important first step in preventing work-related stress, and the toolkit will help to do that.

This is the first time HSE has produced something specifically for the construction industry on work-related stress. The industry has introduced its own initiatives to help promote positive mental health and support those in need. The new toolkit builds on this work and is a key part of a wider approach to managing mental health on construction sites.

The toolkit is primarily aimed at small and medium sized businesses with a regular workforce (employed and contracted) who wish to be proactive in addressing this issue. However, it is a flexible tool that can be used across the whole industry. Download the Talking Toolkit and find out more about work-related stress at https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/

EU Settled Status deadline approaching

EU Settled Status deadline approaching

Workers from the EU or EEA who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 that wish to continue living and working in the UK without a visa from 1 July need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021. Workers will receive settled or pre‐settled status depending on how long they have been living in the UK when they apply.

Whilst it is the responsibility of the individual to submit an application, businesses may wish to provide support to their employees, and there is a comprehensive pack for employers containing a range of useful resources you can share with employees to help them apply.

New super‐deduction capital allowance

New super‐deduction capital allowance

From 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023, companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets will be able to claim a 130% super‐deduction capital allowance and a 50% first‐year allowance for qualifying special rate assets. This will allow companies to reduce their tax bill by up to 25p for every £1 they invest. Qualifying plant and machinery include lorries and vans, ladders, drills and cranes, as well as computer equipment and servers, and office chairs and desks.

With much of the UK’s productivity gap attributable to low levels of business investment, the Government is hoping that the super‐deduction will give companies a strong incentive to bring planned investments forward and make additional investments. Further information can be found in the Government’s factsheet.

Cartels in construction – firms fined £67 million

Cartels in construction – firms fined £67 million

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published an opinion piece detailing why construction companies must take cartel risk, where rivals get together and break competition rules, seriously. In recent years the CMA has fined construction firms £67 million across five competition law cases. As well as large fines for the companies, 11 directors in total were disqualified from acting as directors as a result of these cases. There have also been two criminal convictions.

The CMA is urging the wider industry to take note to avoid making similar mistakes, reminding company directors of their responsibility to lead by example and be aware of how their organisation is operating.

A campaign has been launched by the CMA, ‘Cheating or Competing’ which feaures a new collection of construction case studies alongside advice for the sector. The authority is also working with procurement officials across central and local government, to make it easier for them to spot and report suspected illegal activity.

To find out more, visit the CMA ‘Cheating or Competing’ campaign page

Actions for industry 

  • Be clear on competition rules set out by the CMA.
  • Check your business practices and come forward if you think you have been involved or have witnessed illegal behaviour.
  • Reporting a cartel you were involved in, and co-operating with a CMA investigation, is the best route to leniency that could mean immunity from fines, prosecutions and disqualifications.
  • Note that whistleblowers who report cartels can receive financial rewards.