Civil Engineering Project Management (4th Edition)

114 Civil Engineering Project Management
Engineers should also refer to the policy and procedures set out within their
own company safety management system relating to the requirements of CDM
and the Management Regulations and the undertaking of risk assessments.
It is important to remember that having identified the hazards and those
at risk (step 1 and 2) it is necessary to assess the level of risk (step 3) in order
to decide on the order of significance and the preventive action needed. The
approach here may be qualitative, based on subjective judgements, or quantitative
using numerical estimates of risk based on probability and severity derived
from empirical data. In certain industries, particularly where high risks are
involved (e.g. chemical and nuclear industries), the quantitative approach is
necessary in order to comply with legal or licensing requirements and this
requires a more complex risk assessment methodology driven by statute.
Many people think that the risk assessment process ends when the risks
have been assessed or ranked but this is incorrect. Giving risk a ‘number’ or
rank is only the first phase in the management of risk and appropriate measures
then need to be identified in order to eliminate or reduce the risks to as
low a level as is reasonably practicable.
Reasonably practicable
CDM Regulation 13(3) requires the design to include matters ‘… to the extent
that it is reasonable to expect the designer to address them at the time the
design is prepared and to the extent that it is otherwise reasonably practicable
to do so.’
The term ‘reasonable’ or ‘reasonably practicable’ is used in many of the
post 1974 Act legislation and its meaning can be obtained by reference to
common law judgements:
‘Reasonably practicable’ (implies) that a computation must be made … in which the
quantum of risk is placed on one scale and the sacrifice … for averting the risk
(whether in money, time or trouble) is placed on the other … .
Asquith AF; Edwards v National Coal Board (1949)
The HSE provide guidance sheets and many other publications to assist the
designer with ensuring the requirements of Regulation 13 are satisfied.
CIRIA 1 report R166 is also recognized as a valuable publication intended to
assist designers of construction projects to produce schemes that are safer
to build and maintain. It provides essential guidance on the identification of
hazards in relation to the health and safety of construction workers and those
affected by construction work. It shows ways in which hazards can be avoided,
reduced or controlled, together with options designers may be able to employ
to comply with the CDM Regulations.
1 The Construction Industry Research and Information Association, London.