Your construction method statement will feature a great deal of information pertaining to your project, and we will look more closely at the factors you need to consider during its creation – and how to go about making it – below.
What is a Construction Method Statement?
Simply put, a CMP details your plans for undertaking a new construction project in a way that accounts for and mitigates any number of factors that influence the impact work will have on the surrounding area, from traffic and noise to site waste management and public safety.
Most local councils will require this document as part of your planning application, as it will offer vital insight into the best practices you will be following in order to ensure the health and safety of your on-site team, and that you are taking action to minimise the impact you are having on anyone living or working in the surrounding area.
For instance, one essential feature of any CMP will be the measures you will take for noise monitoring, in order to ensure that you are always operating in compliance with the conditions of your planning permission. Exceeding the permitted level for noise pollution can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of local residents and workers, and can lead to intervention and delays from the local council, which is why proper planning remains so essential.
What is Included Within the Plan?
Any concerns pertaining to environmental or public health and safety should be accounted for within the construction method statement. It should be used as an opportunity to review all of the inherent risks of construction ahead of time, and to create solutions and strategies before they become pressing issues. These factors include:
- Waste Management
Devising a site waste management plan, while not a legal requirement, comprises an important part of your planning process. Minimising the waste produced on site helps you to limit your environmental impact.
- Hours of Work
The hours in which work takes place have a significant impact on those living in the surrounding area, and may be controlled under the codes of practice set by the local council. Failing to adhere to reasonable hours for work could lead to complaints and penalties, which is why providing confirmation that your on-site team will only be working within reasonable hours is so important.
- Traffic Management
Failing to put sufficient plans in place in order to alleviate the sheer volume of traffic entering and exiting your site at any given time will, in all likelihood, lead to major issues with congestion – and increase your vulnerability to accidents occurring. You should lay out a clear strategy for ensuring the safety of pedestrians and drivers, and making certain that there is ample space for the traffic toing and froing (and for vehicles turning and offloading) throughout the day.
- Noise Monitoring
Noise can have a profound impact on public health and wellbeing, both in terms of their health and mental distress. Prior to the commencement of work, a noise survey should be undertaken as part of your environmental management plan; this will provide you with a comprehensive framework for alleviating noise pollution, and preventing complaints from being registered with the local council. Following this, proper steps for noise monitoring should be taken throughout the project in order to prevent your workers from exceeding the conditions of your planning permission.
- Dust Monitoring
Demolition, offloading deliveries, traffic and waste removal all generate a certain level of dust, and this level must be monitored in order to protect the health and safety of those working on site, and the general public. The local council will stipulate a limit for dust levels, and proper practices must be implemented in order to avoid exceeding these restrictions.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive. Plans should be drawn up for storage areas, processes for complaints, lighting, limiting emissions, drainage, site facilities (such as toilets) and offices, as well as plans and drawings for the site itself.
When Should I Complete a CMP?
You should aim to complete your plan well before work is due to begin. If it is required by the local council, then it may take some time (in some cases, several months) for them to review and respond to your CMP. Essentially, when it comes to completing your plan, sooner really is better.
These plans should be made for large or small-scale construction sites, and take into account anything which needs to be addressed prior to the commencement of work in order to ensure a safe and efficient working environment for your on-site team.
How Do I Write a Construction Management Plan?
For starters, your construction method statement should be written with the help of someone who is well-versed in the many requirements.
Here at The Building Compliance Team, we offer a wealth of practical experience in providing Construction Management Plans for our clients, and can remain on hand to offer guidance in all matters pertaining to compliance, planning, and on-site management throughout the course of your project.
If you would like to know more about how The Building Compliance Team can help with the completion of your method statement for building construction doc, then get in touch with us today for a consultation.
