Consultation

One of the main benefits that the CDM regulations provides is the requirement to consult with the workforce, this is a good thing. The workforce are the people most in danger of injury, therefore their involvement is essential in health and safety matters. They are at the "sharp end" and therefore most likely to spot potential health and safety problems. Representatives must be able to act as a two way channel and communication point on all health and safety issues. In the case of large construction sites it is often a good idea to have a safety committee.

All contractors have responsibilities to consult with the employees on health and safety matters under the Health and safety at Work, etc. Act and the regulations shown below.

Encouraging the workforce to identify risks and report concerns will require an open and non-threatening environment, good communication, as well as appropriate training.

On all projects under the regulation the principal contractor must ensure there are arrangements in place for co-ordinating the views of the construction workforce, or their representatives, on health and safety for that site. Also that they are able to offer advice and discuss health and safety matters.

Arrangements for involvement and consultation should be included in the construction phase plan. If there are safety representatives, representatives of employee safety, or safety committees at a site, the principal contractor should use them to ensure they are able to benefit from the experience of the workforce.

By actively encouraging workforce involvement the principal contractor makes it easier for workers to discharge their own health and safety responsibilities under the regulations.

The consultation process can be performed in many different ways, but must be seen to be effective, with actions taken regarding any concerns raised by the workforce. Some methods of consulting are as below:

• Individual contractor's supervisors consulting with their own teams and reporting back to the principal contractor
• Direct consultation by the principal contractor (only a likely method if the numbers of construction workers on site are small)
• Adding a consultation session to the end of toolbox talks.