With nearly three thousand workers having died on construction sites over the past 40 years, many businesses in the construction sector are still failing to get to grips with their legal duties, the risks and liabilities that they now face under the new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2007.

Following the introduction of the new CDM Regulations in April this year, companies who have the safety of their employees at the forefront of their business are invited to attend one of a series of national training seminars being run by Joyce Legal, a leader in the field of construction law. The seminars will provide an essential and comprehensive guide to those in the construction sector on the legal duties, risks and liabilities involved.

More than one quarter of all industrial deaths last year were in the construction industry. Under the new regulations, the Government has introduced a broader set of responsibilities for everyone involved in a construction project from client and designer through to the smallest sub-contractor.  Penalties under the new regime include unlimited fines for both individuals and companies and in the worst cases, even imprisonment.

The seminars recognise the increasing legal burden on companies and anyone within the construction industry will find the information practical, whilst providing an opportunity for attendees to discuss the complex issues arising from the new regulations. The course is relevant for clients, designers, consulting engineers, contractors and sub-contractors. 

Raymond Joyce, leading expert in the field of construction law

The seminars also take into account the influx of skilled trade people from Eastern Europe which has been a benefit to the industry in terms of meeting a critical labour shortage.  However many workers have a poor grasp of the English language and are not provided with safety information in their own language - creating a safety hazard on many sites.

Course leader, Raymond Joyce, is a leading expert in the field of construction law and is the author of the forthcoming 3rd edition of "The CDM Regulations Explained".  He also regularly writes for various journals in the engineering and construction sector as well as the 'Workplace Law Handbook.'