‘Banter has always been part of people’s social development’

Spiky

Having been a CDM professional since 1995, I would like to offer some observations arising from the article in the November/December edition [profile of Peter Baker, chief inspector of buildings, p8-9] and in particular Gateway 3 of the building safety gateway regime. 

In my experience, only on very rare occasions has the production of completed project health and safety files been available at practical completion for the client, as has been required by all three versions of the CDM regulations. Late provision of ‘as built’ drawings by designers and specialist contractors is the primary cause, followed by delayed ‘O and M’ record documentation.

Firstly, whereas practical completion certificates note that health and safety file documentation has or has not been provided, there seems to be a lack of appropriate wording/clauses within contract documentation whereby retention monies can be withheld until the file is made available to the client.

Secondly, clients have been known to take occupation of their new premises ahead of practical completion. It is to the principal contractor’s advantage to be accommodating.

For the above reasons, it is my view that Gateway 3 is an unachievable strategy.

Bryan Hammond