AI in CDM Projects: A powerful tool, but not a replacement for people

For example, AI could review a Pre-Construction Information pack and identify that information relating to asbestos, fire safety, existing services or access arrangements is incomplete. It could compare a Construction Phase Plan against project requirements and flag areas that may need further development. AI can also support the production of meeting agendas, inspection reports, risk registers and Health and Safety File information.

The key benefit is efficiency. By reducing the time spent on repetitive administrative tasks, AI can allow CDM professionals to spend more time focusing on the areas where their professional experience adds the greatest value: understanding the project, challenging designers and contractors, communicating with the client and identifying significant risks.

However, AI should be viewed as an assistant, not as the Principal Designer.

CDM is not simply a document management exercise. The effective management of health and safety relies heavily on professional judgement, experience and communication. AI may identify that a risk assessment does not mention work at height, but it cannot necessarily understand the practical realities of a complex construction site, the competence of the contractor, the quality of communication between dutyholders or whether a proposed control measure is genuinely suitable.

A human professional can visit a site and recognise issues that may not be obvious in a document. They can question why a particular design decision has been made, challenge assumptions, facilitate discussions between designers and understand the interaction between multiple risks. They can also apply experience from previous projects and exercise professional judgement where there may not be a clear or straightforward answer.

There is also the issue of accountability. Under CDM 2015, legal duties are assigned to clients, designers, contractors and other dutyholders. These responsibilities cannot simply be transferred to an AI system. Someone must still make decisions, exercise judgement and take responsibility for ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place.

The future of CDM is therefore unlikely to be AI versus humans. Instead, it is likely to be AI supporting competent professionals.

Used correctly, AI can help Principal Designers and project teams work more efficiently, improve consistency and identify information gaps that may otherwise be missed. However, the value of an experienced CDM professional remains in their ability to interpret information, understand the project context, communicate with people and make informed professional judgements.

AI can process the information.

Humans must understand it, challenge it and take responsibility for what happens next.

The most effective CDM projects will combine the speed and analytical capability of AI with the experience, competence and professional judgement of people. That combination has the potential to improve not only efficiency, but ultimately the management of health, safety and risk throughout the life of a construction project.

Joe Hardiment, Head of Health & Safety – CDM Principle Designer 

Earl Kendrick Property & Construction Consultancy