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Do The CDM Regulations Apply To Telecoms?
It’s easy to see how the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) relate to the construction industry, but what if you work in telecommunications?
At first glance it might not be clear, but it’s important to understand how the CDM Regs apply to the Telecoms industry.
You need to make sure you are up-to-date with safety regulations, to avoid the consequences of non-compliance. But you don’t need to worry!
This post will explain how the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 relate to the telecommunications industry, so you can feel confident applying them to your work.
What do the CDM Regulations cover?
The CDM Regulations are well known in the construction industry, but if you work in Telecoms you might not be so familiar with them.
That’s understandable, because in the past they didn’t include temporary structures or work involving telecommunications. However, the latest CDM Regulations came into force on April 6th, 2015.
Why is that important? Well, these regs now do include many activities that could be relevant to your work in Telecoms.
CDM Regulations now apply to all construction work, regardless of the industry, scale, and duration of work.
The definition of construction work under CDM Regulations is pretty broad. It involves:
e) the installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair or removal of mechanical, electrical, gas, compressed air, hydraulic, telecommunications, computer or similar services which are normally fixed within or to a structure.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Intepretation
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015)
This means that much of the work involved in telecommunications projects will now have to be managed in accordance with the CDM 2015 Regulations.
This means that much of the work involved in telecommunications projects will now have to be managed in accordance with the CDM 2015 Regulations.
How do the new CDM Regulations apply to Telecoms?
What’s all this got to do with Telecoms? When you look into it, quite a lot of things can happen when installing or decommissioning telecommunication infrastructure that would be defined as “construction work” under the CDM Regs.
Sometimes it’s obvious when construction work is happening, especially when engineers are involved. For example, if a new telecommunications network, mast, or tower is being built, upgraded, or decommissioned.
But there are plenty of other Telecom activities that might also count as “construction” work. This includes broadly speaking ‘site’ work done on towers, masts, and rooftop sites.
Here’s some examples of Telecoms activities that might come under the CDM Regulations:
- Building of a new data centre
- Installing new IT racking (involving intrusive or electrical work)
- Building base station sites (macro or small cells)
- Installing WiFi access points
- Installation of small sensors
- Upgrading antennas
- Replacing or installing antenna shrouds
- Dismantling or demolition of a tower
- Installing backup generators
- Civils work for ducting or access chambers
- Installing a new street cabinet
- Laying fibre optic cables
If you’re working in the Telecoms industry, I’m sure you’ll have experience of some of these activities. It should now be clear that the CDM Regulations are definitely relevant to your work.
But if you are still struggling then don’t worry. The Mast and Towers Safety Group have come up with a useful list of activities which they feel DO NOT come under the CDM Regulations:
- Installing cards and amplifiers
- Installing or upgrading software
- Installing ‘plug-and-play’ equipment
- Placing telecommunications equipment (e.g. phones) on desks
- Moving equipment rack when there is no intrusive electrical works
- Surveying and inspecting masts and towers
You need to remember that appropriate Risk Assessments & Safe Systems of Work will still be required for these activities, as well.
What action is required?
Now you know that the CDM Regulations apply to the Telecoms industry, it’s really important that you take this responsibility seriously.
Safety measures need to be put into place and practiced effectively to reduce the risk of injury, and also to avoid being prosecuted for non-compliance.
To comply with the CDM Regs, you need to include them in planning, design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.
If you integrate CDM compliance into your standard working culture, you can make sure that your telecommunications work is safe, and avoids risk.
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Do you want better compliance?
Hey, I’m Alex Burbidge. I’m determined to make a business health and safety compliant. My only question is, will it be yours?
About Pro Safety Management
We are a Specialist Telecoms Health and Safety Consultancy with over 40+ years experience. Serving some of the global leading telecommunication companies, we provide specialist and strategic health and safety management ensuring operational standards at the highest level.
Do you want better compliance?
Hey, I’m Alex Burbidge. I’m determined to make a business health and safety compliant. My only question is, will it be yours?
