The long‐term importance of education to raise safety levels and the implementation of the CDM regulations in the European building industry

Sets out to examine the need to educate professionals involved in all trades at all levels throughout the construction industry so that the industry as a whole becomes safety conscious. States that the European legislation governing the conduct of building operations from inception, through use and maintenance to demolition is now in place, and in the UK the CDM regulations came into effect in March 1995 and implement the European Community Temporary or Mobile Construction Site Directive. Says that many problems have been instigated by the CDM in the UK in smaller contractors on smaller jobs who may become the “principal contractor”, without having the financial, managerial or technical resources of the larger contractor, yet having the same safety responsibilities. This would seem to potentially create a problem which affects the operation and validity of the regulations. Seeks to address these problems and inconsistencies in the knowledge and expertise gap concerning safety in the construction industry. Aims to address a number of questions: how can we ensure the long‐term safety on site?; how can these problems be alleviated, while achieving in this case the worthwhile goal of safer building?; how can the problem of the small builder be addressed on a European basis?; can the training and education of those in the building trade be altered to improve safety awareness and procedures? Anticipates that feedback information will be generated regarding safety standards and their optimization throughout sectors of the industry. Recommends that all trades and professions must incorporate safety within their particular skill training and all persons involved should be licensed by the trade association and a consumer safeguard and the safety of persons in the industry.