We were recently asked for our H&S file for a 1970's building which we occupy. We do have some information about the building but it is somewhat ad hoc. Has anyone out there taken the step of creating H&S file for buildings which pre date CDM. My feeling is that although there will be gaps in the file this will at least indicate where special care is required before we dive in and do work. Any thoughts?

So sadlass, you do know where the other two years have gone? :o))

I remember the 1994 regs as well so can I have the 2 years back please Bob

Philb you are quite wrong to say the things you have said in your last post. Most who [post on this forum make comments with the very best of intentions against a rather poor question in the first place. You say you don't use the forum very often and it shows a serious lack of understanding of how it work I must say. Many posters often drift off topic in some way or another, but mean no harm or disrespect. In your original post you failed to mention who asked for the H&S file or that it followed an accident therefore posters replied with only little background to your posting. Please remember people only react to the information in front of them and often misread bits of it and respond in part only or in error, not a crime as it is a discussion forum not an advice center.

Thanks for that reply Jay - it seems to me we need to gather what info we have on the building together and compile a H&S File based upon what we know. Where gaps exist - as they will - these will at least alert anyone who is planning work as to where special care or arrangements will be required.

Surely the only "file" that should be compiled would be the Operation and Maintenance manual for the building? Onlt if you are considering changes to the structure etc would CDM apply?

Just to add to my earlier comments about HSE inspectors, forum users should note that inspectors - and indeed any enforcement officials - have line managers. In the case of HSE inspectors below the rank of principal inspector, it was and perhaps still is standard practice for the name and title of their line manager to be included on the letters they send out. (As I've not seen an inspector's letter for some time, can anyone confirm if this is still the case?) Therefore, if anyone thinks that an inspector persists in being unreasonable about a matter, they have the option of contacting his/her line manager to seek clarification/complain as appropriate. However, before embarking on this option, it's highly prudent to discuss and consider the situation with other OS&H people you trust, just in case you've misunderstand any aspects and/or have become too subjective. I did this myself some years ago with my then colleagues plus several other friends in IOSH before complaining to a principal inspector and higher still about an inspector who, everyone else agreed, was being highly officious and unnecessarily obstructive about a matter. Mind you, during my early years with HSE the top inspector for the HSE region in which I worked commented wryly that receiving complaints about his inspectors from time to time tended to reassure him that they were doing their work effectively! He may well have added that such complaints needed to be of the "right" type. Line managers who receive complaints of the "wrong" sort, i.e. justified ones about inspectors might be prompted to revise their impression about such inspectors and take appropriate action. p.s. Just to avoid any misunderstanding, the above comments are general ones and should not necessarily be interpreted as applicable to the situation raised by philb.