What is CDM?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, often referred to as CDM 2015, are a set of health and safety regulations that apply to construction projects in the United Kingdom. The regulations were introduced to improve the management of health, safety, and welfare throughout all stages of construction projects and to ensure that risks are effectively controlled.
Under CDM 2015, if an event or exhibition involves construction work, even if it is temporary, the regulations apply, and dutyholders are required to comply with the relevant health and safety requirements. This extension aimed to ensure that health and safety standards were maintained not only in traditional construction projects but also in temporary structures and installations used for events and exhibitions.
The primary objective of extending the CDM 2015 regulations to events and exhibitions is to enhance health and safety standards. Ensuring compliance with CDM 2015 for events and exhibitions is a legal requirement in the UK. Organisers and stakeholders must adhere to these regulations, as failure to do so may result in penalties, fines, or legal consequences. The application of CDM 2015 to events and exhibitions fosters a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety practices within the event industry. This drives positive changes over time, leading to even safer and more well-organised events in the future.
Project Background
Together, the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the Association of Event Venues (AEV), and the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) have worked with their members and the wider industry to drive towards minimal impact from CDM regulations. After almost 4 years of working closely with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), via cross-association member working groups, sector committees, one-to-one meetings and industry forums, we’re very happy to be at a stage where we can now inform and educate via a process of information documents, roadshows and, shortly, a CDM specific mobile and web application, all geared towards giving people and their businesses the information and tools necessary to understand and operate in the same efficient manner as always, while complying with Construction, Design & Management (CDM) 2015 regulations.
This industry specific guidance seeks to map and recognise current industry practice, using existing regulations and best practice to meet the new CDM regulations.
The CDM Resource Pack is intended to help you understand the responsibilities of the various stake holders in the event industry. The Construction, Design & Management (CDM) Regulations do not replace any existing law but are intended to provide a framework to help you meet the requirement and helping you understand your obligations.
These documents should be viewed as a summary for meeting minimum requirements and should at all times be used in conjunction with Health and Safety at Work Act, HSE’s exhibition specific guidance on CDM 2015 and also the HSE’s official L153 guidance on CDM.
