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Construction, Design and Management Regulations 1994

The Construction, Design and Management (CDM) regulations 1994 are designed to improve the overall management and co-ordination of health, safety and welfare throughout all stages of construction projects by directing the flow of essential information between appropriate parties.

The principal objectives of the regulations are to:

  • achieve a project that can be designed, managed and constructed with minimum risk
  • consider the health and safety of all those affected by the works
  • provide information regarding design and materials for those carrying out any future works and demolition

It is the responsibility of those undertaking building maintenance, improvement or development projects to find out whether the project falls within the scope of the CDM regulations and to take appropriate advice to ensure compliance with them. This includes the appointment of a competent planning supervisor from the design stage.

It is also the client's responsibility to ensure there are adequate health and safety provisions in place before construction commences on site and that at the end of the project the health and safety file is supplied and kept on the premises for future use.

Failure to identify that the CDM regulations apply to a project and take appropriate action is a criminal offence, which can, in the extreme, result in a prison sentence or fine for both the organisation and the individual.

Should you require any advice or further information please email edward.trimmer@kent.gov.uk or call 01622 694725.

Copyright Kent County Council 2009