02 Aug New Construction Regulations
New Construction Regulations effect from 1 August 2013.
Construction Regulations 2013
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013)
The new 2013 Construction Regulations came into effect on 1 August 2013. The purpose of these Regulations is to prescribe the main requirements for the protection of the safety, health and welfare of persons working on construction sites.
The Regulations are designed to clarify and strengthen the general duties of all parties as regards securing occupational safety, health and welfare in construction work, including those of Clients, Project Supervisors, Designers, Contractors and Employees.
They apply to all construction projects including the alteration, decoration, maintenance and repair of buildings and the installation, maintenance and removal of mechanical and other systems fixed within or to structures. They place obligations on clients and designers to ensure that safety and health is taken into account before any construction work begins.
The Regulations replace and revoke the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 504 of 2006) and subsequent amendment regulations.
Seminars to assist organisations with the new Construction Regulations
The National Irish Safety Organisation will be holding two seminars on the new Construction Regulations in Athlone on 29 August 2013 and in Limerick on 5 September 2013.
Click here for details of the seminars.
The Regulations
Click here to view / download the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013)
Guidance
The Health and Safety Authority has produced two short guidance documents to assist duty holders in understanding and complying with the new regulations.
Guide for Homeowners
The introduction of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 places responsibilities on homeowners, called Clients in the Regulations, who are having construction work carried out on their home. The aim of this guide is to provide practical information for homeowners as to what they need to know and do.
Note: The Regulations cover paid occupational work only and do not apply to DIY.
Click here to view/download the guide
Guide for Contractors and Project Supervisors
This guidance is aimed at contractors who undertake construction work on private domestic dwellings.Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, a Client is a person for whom a construction project is carried out. This now includes a person having construction work carried out on their own home.
Click here to view/download the guide
Summary of changes to the Construction Regulations
- Change to the definition of Construction from previously including “engineering work” to now including “engineering construction work”
- Criteria exempting the appointment of project supervisors has been expanded for Clients
- Clients on domestic dwelling projects do not have to supply Health and Safety Plan for tendering
- In the case of clients for domestic type projects there are duties on Project Supervisors, designers and contractors to demonstrate to the clients that they are competent to do the work
- In the case of clients for domestic type projects there are duties on designers and contractors to inform the client of their duties
- Reduction of administration burden in areas of record keeping and provision of relevant sections of contractors Safety Statement.
Downloads and links
Click here for details of the seminars in Sligo and Dublin
Click here for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013)
Click here for Homeowners Guide [pdf; 1.2mb]
Click here for Contractors and Project Supervisors Guide [pdf; 2.2mb]