The clocks have gone back. The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is upon us and there are only 50 shopping days ‘till Christmas! There are rather less than half that until the new CDM ACoP is due to emerge from the HSE.
Now for the good news.
We will be circulating information about the new CDM ACoP in our CDM ToolKit™ Service Release and on our CDM Community web site cdmUK.com as the HSE's documentation becomes available. This is scheduled for the first week in December and includes a number of changes that our users will be keen to learn about. With the exception of the Form 10, all the CDM documentation has been rewritten, with new, revised contents to the Health & Safety Plan and File.
Our product updates will include a complete rewrite of the CDM Management sections to reflect the changes in the new ACoP. This has been a major exercise to integrate our knowledge base revisions with new document templates for our project documentation. The changes will ensure that all our users get the latest, up to date, information in their software so that they can comply with the new recommended formats quickly and easily. This update is being circulated free of charge to all our existing CDM ToolKit™ users. Our web site users will be able to access the knowledge base revisions on cdmUK.com and should see that site for access details later this month.
An issue which interested us was the prospective attitude of the HSE to the revision of existing documents that span the introduction of the new ACoP which takes effect on 1 February 2002. Should these documents be presented in the new format if the project concerned runs across February next year? Here is Stephen Wright’s (their Head of Construction Policy) reply:
"People should review their approach constantly, and if the new ACoP and guidance mean that they identify significant omissions then they should amend the plans or files accordingly. If not and the existing plans/files are fit for purpose then I see absolutely no need to change them.
This revision is all about substance, not format. We don't mind how people do their work (apart, of course, from where there are specific legal requirements - eg for guard rails) as long as, at the end of the day, they identify / eliminate / manage the risks. We certainly don't want plans/files that include all the items in the lists [in the new ACoP], if they are irrelevant or insignificant! Similarly we are not bothered if people follow the order in the ACoP, though a common approach may make life easier for everyone."
We know from our various meetings with HSE, including Stephen Wright, that they have minimised the transition time for the new ACoP. HSE simply see no point in delaying the introduction of the revised procedures with the use of a transition period. Having got to know the new ACoP well, Ai Solutions can only concur their view. We want to encourage all our users to get on board with the new revisions as soon as they can.
Now then, where was I? Dear Father Christmas, please send me a copy of the New ACoP so that I can study it over the Christmas break. I want to get everything in place for early January so that I am ready for the 1st Feb ...
The new ACoP is called 'Managing Construction for Health & Safety', priced £9.50. ISBN 0-7176-2139-1. HSE reference HSG 224. Available from HSE Books from about 30th November 2001.
One of our Business Partners Mike Stokes H&S Director of Mouchel reports; A well-attended follow-up conference (from the February Summit) was held on 18th October 2001 at the ExCel, Docklands, London. The theme for the conference was a revue of progress that has taken place since the February Summit.
The main thrust of the conference was twofold. Firstly, there was an opportunity for key construction organisations to report what they have done under their action plans to bring about real change in the industry’s health and safety performance, and inform the first report to ministers on progress.
Secondly, the gathering split in to 'breakout' groups to focus on sharing current experiences in taking forward action plans, the Revitalising Health and Safety agenda and to discuss the way forward on a range of common issues.
The breakout themes were:
The speeches and outcomes of the breakout groups can be viewed on the Working Well Together web site (wwt.uk.com).
Although not a particular health & safety issue, a complete re-write of Part A of the Building Regulations has been issued as a Consultation Document and comments are invited. The document and the electronic pro-forma for responses is available on the DTLR web site (www.dtlr.gov.uk).
We have a free promotional CDROM that presents information about Ai Solutions, CDM and asbestos. In addition, we have included free evaluation copies of our software for those who want to find out more about us and our products. Please contact us if you would like a copy.
A recent report stated that our Asbestos ToolKit™ was one of only three (asbestos software) products 'worth looking at'. We are encouraged by this and the good, enthusiastic, response we continue to get from our sales enquiries. We are working with several partners on the development of our asbestos software and latterly an NHS Trust organisation responsible for about 20 clinics and hospitals. This is in addition of working with several local authorities, some of whom see a link up between our solution and the delivery services of both trade associations and asbestos service providers. We are looking for more input here to spread our understanding of the needs of the UK property 'industry' and look forward to more enquiries on this theme.
Our Asbestos Register management software is available from £249 plus £249 for maintenance and upgrades. This is the price of the standalone product. Our web site has details of the product. The Asbestos Register ToolKit™ Lite provides all the routines you need to manage your Asbestos Register database, Surveys and Monitoring across all your sites.
Our October competition has been won by the Property and Construction Health & Safety Manager of Hampshire County Council. Congratulations!
The correct answer to October's question regarding the number of types of asbestos surveys recommended in MDHS 100 was three.
Our developers are busy practicing their flying (as featured in Microsoft’s TV advertising campaign) so that they are ready to deliver Microsoft’s new XP Operating System for you. In addition they are busy passing examinations in the new software so that they can install it across your network as well! With the Service Release due within the month, they have promised a bumper Christmas entry to Developer's Corner next month so that you have something to study over your Christmas pud.