Construction Design and Management (CDM) 2015

The Construction Design and Management 2015 (CDM) regulations are a legal requirement and a failure for organisations to comply may result in prosecution; with a possibility of a fine of up to £10 million or two-years imprisonment.

Due to concerns around the lack of clarity towards the CDM compliance requirements within the industry, Network Rail introduced the standard ‘NR/L2/SCO/302/02 Supplier Qualifications CDM Requirements’ in June 2020 with a compliance date of the 5th September 2020.

The document seeks to mitigate the risk that suppliers import when working on Network Rail’s Managed Infrastructure and sets out the management system and management process requirements for suppliers discharging duties detailed in the CDM 2015.

The module therefore applies to all Suppliers who undertake activities defined within the CDM 2015. It specifically applies to organisations who provide services that fall within one of the following categories:

2 (1) In these regulations ‘construction work” means the carrying out of any building, civil engineering, or engineering construction work:

(a) the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, upkeep, redecoration or other maintenance (including cleaning which involves the use of water or an abrasive at high pressure, or the use of corrosive or toxic substances), de-commissioning, demolition or dismantling of a structure;

(b) the preparation for an intended structure, including site clearance, exploration, investigation (but not site survey) and excavation (but not pre-construction archaeological investigations), and the clearance or preparation of the site or structure for use or occupation at its conclusion;

(c) the assembly on site of prefabricated elements to form a structure or the disassembly on site of the prefabricated elements which, immediately before such disassembly, formed a structure;

(d) the removal of a structure, or of any product or waste resulting from demolition or dismantling of a structure, or from disassembly of prefabricated elements which immediately before such disassembly formed such a structure;

(e) the installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair or removal of mechanical, electrical, gas, compressed air, hydraulic, telecommunications, computer or similar services which are normally fixed within or to a structure,

Whilst the additional module has generated a lot of frustration within the supply chain, we would like everyone to understand that the Regulation has been in force for over five years and it was expected that Suppliers would comply as risks have been identified, the standard owner (not RISQS) has separated out the requirement.

Supply chain engagement with the module not only benefits the rail industry as a whole but it also helps you and your business meet legal expectations under the regulations that is then tested and verified by an external auditor. If we can operate and achieve compliance together then we can drastically improve on health and safety for all. 

If you have any further questions about the CDM 2015 regulations, please contact Phil Smith: phil.smith@rssb.co.uk.