When the statue of Yuri Gagarin – first man in space – needed a new home, the project team had to include a CDM Co-ordinator. Yuri’s latest journey was from The Mall to the Royal Observatory Greenwich where the project delivered a new steel and stone plinth ready to receive him.
I was the CDM-C with an active role in the project. This included the initial F10 notification to the Health and Safety Executive. I also attended design team meetings, promoting collaboration and communication between disciplines.
One challenge arose as, until the statue was removed from its former plinth, the precise nature of the hidden fixings was unknown. I helped the team find an adaptable solution so that this could be accommodated on install day without delays.
I progressed the CDM duties from the notification and design stages into pre-construction information and review of the contractors health and safety plan. At completion I assisted in collating the health and safety file.
The Yuri Gagarin statue was unveiled by his daughter on 7th March 2013, and stands on the cafe terrace at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich also have a news article here.