Essential aid to constructing new light rail systems published

Mark Ashmore, LRSSB Safety and Assurance Manager, said the new publication - LRG23.0 Application of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 - would prove to be an invaluable aid to the sector.

“This document provides an exhaustive guide to every aspect of the regulations and how to comply with all the legal requirements for light rail projects of all sizes,” he said.

“Although the guidance is purely advisory, it sets out very clearly the duties of the relevant light rail system in the role of client when creating or extending tramways, whether they choose to appoint external duty holders or choose to undertake these roles themselves.

“The aim is always to help the industry by offering guidance on what is required from the duty holders appointed, so that they can properly discharge their client duties.”

The CDM 2015 created five duty holder roles – Client, Principal Designer, Designer, Principal Contractor and Contractor. In the new guidance, the roles and responsibilities of each of the five duty holders are set out, from the pre-construction phase right through to post-construction maintenance.

Although the regulations had evolved over time, from previous versions published in 1994 and 2007, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has consistently demonstrated the importance of client involvement from the very start of any project.

“The evidence shows that where a client is involved in setting out the standards and requirements for a project, it runs more effectively and risk is better controlled,” Mark said. “CDM 2015 seeks to embed the client at the head of the project team and thus take the lead in ensuring construction work is managed properly and risk is minimised.

“Evaluating and reducing risk is a vital element of the regulations, whether that be risk to workers or the public, relating to anything from site access and plant or equipment safety to training and monitoring, to health hazards arising from clearing asbestos or contaminated land, or storing hazardous materials.”

The guidance is now available to download here from the LRSSB’s growing reference library.