Posted By Ciaran McAleenan
Dear all
The debate on which qualification or which institution can lay claim to delivering competence fails to understand that we derive our competence through a variety of routes and when the time comes to deliver a project for a client we need to measure competence against the clients and/ or the regulatory requirements.
(Note CDM proposed not only requires the client to establish competence before offering commissions but it all requires individuals or organisations to be assured of their own competence to deliver before accepting it).
With reference to the core document COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/57/EEC, upon which CDM is derived consider this…
* Competent co-ordinators (preparation stage) need to have sufficient skills, knowledge, experience, authority and resources to perform the duties outlined in Article 5 (a) through (c), with reference to the particular construction project.
* Competent co-ordinators (project execution stage) need to have sufficient skills, knowledge, experience, authority and resources to perform the duties outlined in Article 6 (a) through (f), with reference to the particular construction project.
There is no reference to qualification or membership of a professional body but clearly there is a need to have “a sound working knowledge of health & safety in construction work, a thorough knowledge of the design process and experience of the site processes likely to be involved in the project and in future maintenance, refurbishment or demolition”.
If designs are to be such that they can be built, used, maintained and eventually demolished in a manner that will not cause harm to the construction workers or users then the debate on competence needs to be focussed on the skills needed to deliver.
If the various Institutions are to do justice to the process and to themselves they need to ensure that in pushing the core competence requirements they avoid any hint of self-interest. This will demonstrate true professionalism.
Regards
Ciaran
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/57/EEC
Web link:
http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=31992L0057&model=guichett
“Article 5
Project preparation stage: duties of coordinators
The coordinator(s) for safety and health matters during the project preparation stage appointed in accordance with Article 3 (1) shall:
a) Coordinate implementation of the provisions of Article 4;
(b) Draw up, or cause to be draw up, a safety and health plan setting out the rules applicable to the construction site concerned, taking into account where necessary the industrial activities taking place on the site; this plan must also include specific measures concerning work which falls within one or more of the categories of Annex II;
(c) Prepare a file appropriate to the characteristics of the project containing relevant safety and health information to be taken into account during any subsequent works.”
“Article 6
Project execution stage: duties of coordinators
The coordinator(s) for safety and health matters during the project execution stage appointed in accordance with Article 3 (1) shall:
(a) Coordinate implementation of the general principles of prevention and safety:
- when technical and/or organizational aspects are being decided, in order to plan the various items or stages of work which are to take place simultaneously or in succession,
- when estimating the period required for completing such work or work stages;
(b) coordinate implementation of the relevant provisions in order to ensure that employers and, if necessary for the protection of workers, self-employed persons:
- apply the principles referred to in Article 8 in a consistent manner,
- where required, follow the safety and health plan referred to in Article 5 (b);
(c) make, or cause to be made, any adjustments required to the safety and health plan referred to in Article 5 (b) and the file referred to in Article 5 (c) to take account of the progress of the work and any changes which have occurred;
(d) organize cooperation between employers, including successive employers on the same site, coordination of their activities with a view to protecting workers and preventing accidents and occupational health hazards and reciprocal information as provided for in Article 6 (4) of Directive 89/391/EEC, ensuring that self-employed persons are brought into this process where necessary;
(e) coordinate arrangements to check that the working procedures are being implemented correctly;
(f) take the steps necessary to ensure that only authorized person are allowed onto the construction site.”