So you are considering a career as a CDM Coordinator? This can be a very interesting, challenging and rewarding career. If you are looking to become a CDM Coordinator, let’s take a closer look at this profession and how you can find success.

What is a CDM Coordinator and what do they do?

The Construction, Design and Management Regulations of 2007 define the legal duties for the safe operation of construction sites in the UK. These regulations will place specific duties on contractors, designers and clients so that they can carry out their work safely. These regulations apply to all steps of the construction process, from the planning stages to demolition and removal.

A CDM Coordinator is someone who is fully trained on these regulations and is responsible for being the key project advisor when it comes to health and safety risk management in the workplace. They work together with designers, clients and workers and their responsibilities include:

  • Notifying the project to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
  • Assisting the client with their duties and finding suitable management arrangements for the project.
  • Identify pro-construction information for designers and contractors
  • Advise the client on whether the time allocated for all phases of the project is adequate
  • Ensure that the designer and contractor co-ordinate with each other and those involved in the project
  • Aiding communication between the designers, clients, contractors and others
  • Updating the health and safety paperwork

The role of the CDM Coordinator in the workplace is a very important one. You will be responsible for these tasks and much more, taking an important leadership role in the health and safety of the workplace.

What is the Typical Salary Range?

The role of a CDM Coordinator is generally a well-paid one, reflecting the level of responsibility that this person has in the workplace. Of course, the salary range for a CDM coordinator depends on the company that you are working for and the industry that you are working in.

However, the typical salary is usually between £22,000 and £55,000 annually. The more qualifications and experience you have, the more chances you will have of obtaining a higher salary.

Necessary Skills and Traits

What kind of skills and traits are necessary to being a successful CDM coordinator? One of the main characteristics is a mind for details and a good memory, as you will need to understand the many complex CDM regulations. It is also important to have good communication skills. You will need to coordinate with a number of different people on the construction site, such as the contractors, the site supervisors, the employees and the designers. It is important to be able to express yourself clearly and ensure that all communication is understood.

It is also essential to be organised in order to be successful as a CDM coordinator. You will be in charge of keeping track of a lot of paperwork and files, so it is necessary to be able to keep numerous details straight. It is also important that all files, paperwork, planning applications, risk assessments and other important documents are conducted on time meeting deadlines and submitted in the right way.

CDM Coordinator Training & Qualifications

How to get CDM certification

If you are considering becoming a CDM coordinator, the first step is to make sure that you have the right skills and qualifications. These will usually include a degree in construction or engineering as well as some experience related to building surveying. Also, you will need to have health and safety training such as the NEBOSH Construction Certificate or the CDM training. Once you have the correct training and experience, it is just a matter of marketing yourself and your skills and building up a network of clients with construction projects for you to work on.

CDM Training Courses

Joining the ICS

Another important step along the way to your CDM Coordinator career is to join an organisation such as the ICS or Institution for Construction Safety. This organisation will verify that you are competent, which is reassuring for clients who are looking for a CDM coordinator that they can rely on. To be able to join the ICS you must be hold a professional or vocational qualification in construction or design, be a member of a professional body, have experience as a health and safety practitioner, demonstrate a commitment to provide safety, have work experience in construction or design and have an appropriate CDM qualification. All applications are considered by the ICS membership committee.

The benefits of joining are the accreditation that you will receive as a health and safety professional. If you are accredited as a CDM coordinator, this will be a great marketing tool and a way to build up a larger base of clients.

How to get a CDM certification

The first step to becoming a CDM Coordinator is getting the right training. The CDM 2015 in Practice course is designed to teach you all of the information you need to take on the responsibilities of this role.

The course covers a number of important topics, including identifying procedures for co-ordination, understanding the requirements of the CDM regulations, knowing how to carry out a risk assessments, understanding the scope of the project, providing advice to clients on legal duties and being able to critically evaluate the parts of a safety plan.

This type of training is convenient to find because it is available to attend at many strategically located public venues throughout the UK. Or sometimes a business will have the training company come to their business premises and teach a large group of staff at once.

Having the right training is necessary for a career as a CDM coordinator, so make sure that you find a reliable training company that provides high quality instruction.

These are just a few important things that you should know about becoming a CDM Coordinator and making a career for yourself in this business. Best of luck in your future success as a Construction Design and Management Coordinator!

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