Posted By Joe Makepeace We are are an electrical contractor engaged on a refurbishment project within a hospital in the North West. We are to engage a nominated sub-contractor for the provision of the intruder alarm, CCTV and public address systems. On completion of our Sub-contractor questionnaire, the sub-contractor indicated that they are exepmt from CDM as the installation is not defined as construction work! Having re-read the definitions within the ACOP and the section on Contractors and the self-employed, I am 99.9% sure that this is not the case and would appreciate any comments you may have or similar sub-contractor claims you may have experienced. I think this Company may be confused between CIS exemption (which is correct) and CDM exemption which I believe to be incorrect.

Posted By Joe Makepeace I agree entirely and it is always nice to have confirmation.

Posted By Ron Hunter The definition within the CDM Regulations includes "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". The comptency of a contractor who thinks they are "exempt" in the circumstances is surely highly questionable.

Posted By Phil Rose They are fooling nobody but themselves, as has already been pointed out, of course the work they are doing falls under the definition. It was a nice try I suppose.

Posted By Robert K Lewis But unfortunately you still have to manage them! Client has selected them and as a competent PC you should be able to competently supervise their work. Bit of a hard rub though and I know many in your position. Bob

Posted By Joe Makepeace All - Many thanks for the thoughts and comments posted - they are much appreciated. Through dialogue with the particular company they have now fully accepted their responsibilities under CDM and are putting measures in place to ensure compliance. We have in this instance agreed with the PC and the Client that an alternative provider of these services will be used on this particular contract. However, one of the more worrying claims the sub-contractor made was that they had "worked for four major construction companies over the past two years (a fact I have confirmed) and it was generally accepted by them that security installations did not come under CDM"! I know which one is the more worrying.