Getting your career started with a CDM Course

CDM coordinators can choose from a variety of courses run by different training providers. These are the most in depth courses and last for around three days. These CDM training courses can cover a range of issues relevant to the coordinator role, such as: why the regulations were instigated, legislation, how to apply the regulations, duties and roles, how to assess if the duties are being met, how to maintain good communications between all parties, insurance and negotiation.

Some coordinator CDM training courses, provide the option to become APS accredited. By completing a course accredited by the Association for Project Safety, coordinators will have the added benefit of being recognised as a member of a professional body directly related to their specialism.

Other CDM training courses include single day workshops. These are best suited for persons whose role includes meeting the CDM regulations, but who are not coordinators. Such roles may include construction operatives, supervisors, managers and designers. One day CDM training courses usually cover the HSE’s approach to CDM, a brief background to the CDM to explain why it was introduced, the roles and duties defined by the CDM, how to ensure these duties are met, how to select suitable contractors and what information is needed before a construction project is started. These last two topics are particularly important, as one of the main goals of the regulations is to ensure that safety is considered at all points in the project. This includes during the construction phase and during post construction maintenance. Another aim of the CDM regulations was to ensure that all construction workers are suitable trained for the task in hand.

In addition to the above one day and three day courses, there are other courses available. Some of these focus on the legal aspects of the CDM regulations in more detail. These can be one day or half day courses. They aim to provide training on the legal requirements of the CDM and how they can be met. They provide clarity on the sometimes complicated issues of which parties have legal responsibilities for what, how other legislation is connected to the CDM, how risk assessment needs to be included in the whole process including the design of the project and how to compose a health and safety file to document action taken in accordance with the CDM.

The final CDM course to consider is the IOSH Managing Client / Contractor Relationship (CDM). Accredited by the Institute of Occupation Health and Safety, this course focuses specifically on how to ensure that the relations between the client and contractor are smooth and constructive. As the course goes into detail on this is run over three days. The course covers issues such as managing projects safely, legislation and how to write company policy in line with the CDM regulations, Identifying who is a duty holder and what their responsibilities are, understanding how and what to notify under the CDM regulations and how to develop health and safety plans to safeguard current construction worker’s, future maintenance worker’s and projects users’ safety.