Could an original Health and Safety file be used for new construction projects in the same building or would you ask for a new file each time a new project is started.

SBH

The Health and Safety File should be maintained for the Structure. One Structure =one File, updated and maintained by the Client, with support from Project PD etc.

Preconstruction information should clarify what information is expected to be relevant for inclusion/update of the File, and also give some indication as to when (in the Project timescale) it is expected to be available.
Often, the relevant information is available at the design stage.

Where there is no existing File, it should be created and compiled in accordance with the Client's requirements, which should in turn satisfy the minimum requirements of CDM2015.

Are you talking about the Health & Safety File or Construction Phase Plan?

Unfortunately, it is far too common that a new Health and Safety File to be created for each PROJECT, rather than for the HSF for the STRUCTURE to be updated as appropriate. The next project will probably remove some residual "significant risks", whilst possibly adding new ones.

I've got a current project where not updating a HSF for the STRUCTURE during various works since 2001 has resulted in a complete shambles of paperwork.

Peter,

You are much better at interpreting the letter of the law than I with you previous experience, however I suspect that the 'think tank' who drafted the current CDM legislation have not grasped the significance of this document as Appendix 4 of L153 now states:

3 The file must contain information about the current project likely to be needed to ensure health and safety during any subsequent work, such as maintenance, cleaning, refurbishment or demolition.

Regulation 12 (5) Now states:

During the pre-construction phase, the principal designer must prepare a health and safety file appropriate to the characteristics of the project which must
contain information relating to the project which is likely to be needed during any subsequent project to ensure the health and safety of any person.

It can depend upon the complexity of the "project". At one end of the spectrum, say there was a requirement to provide additional electrical sockets & associated wiring to an existing supply network in a building & reconfigure desking/workstations without altering any partition walls. One could simply update the electrical drawings/specs and have the additional installation "certified" plus update the desking/workstation plans. In fact it is the so called "Management of Change" is this case that ensures that the change is incorporated in drawings etc.

The other end could be a project to have a building extension to an existing multi-storey structure with various utilities/HVAC. For that there would be a separate H & S File for the extension

and the there is possibly everything in between!