CDM regulations implemented successfully

With the Olympic Games in full swing, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reflecting on the construction safety of the Olympic Park by releasing a report on the extent to which the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations SI 2007/320 (CDM Regulations) helped or hindered construction. The report was compiled by reviewing how the duties in the Regulations were practised.

In particular, the report shows that:

• early and continual planning, co-ordination and contractor involvement was crucial;
• principal contractors shared ideas and lessons learned;
• worker engagement helped to motivate the workforce;
• London 2012 scored significantly higher in 27 of the 39 Influence Network Factors when compared with the wider construction industry.

The report highlighted the fact that the Olympic Delivery Authority set the tone for health and safety from the very beginning and reinforced it on a daily basis.

It also showed that by appointing CDM co-ordinators and contractors in good time, advantages were gained from identifying risks early.

Overall, the CDM Regulations were implemented successfully, and the HSE stated that the research in the report provides evidence that it is possible to develop a strong safety culture in the construction industry.

For more information, see the:

• HSE report "London 2012: The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 - Dutyholder roles and impact', available at: http://cedr.ec/c9.