Duties Under CDM

The CDM Regulations apply to ALL construction/refurbishment jobs except for domestic clients commissioning work on their own homes.

There is heavy emphasis on the need for appropriate levels of 'competence' under the CDM Regs so if you are not sure of what you are doing ? you are obliged to get advice from someone who does know.

In addition, where a job is over 30 days or 500 man-days, then the job becomes notifiable (to the HSE), a CDM Coordinator must be appointed from the commencement of design work. Part 3 of the CDM Regs specifies duty holders and their duties under CDM:

The following summary is adapted from the HSE publications via their website and Associated Code of Practice (ACoP) for the CDM Regs but first, listen to what Bernie has to say about the duties of a client:

Duty Holder Duties for ALL Construction jobs Additional Duties for Notifiable jobs
Client
  • Check competence and resources of all appointees
  • Ensure there are suitable management arrangements for the project welfare facilities
  • Allow sufficient time and resources for all stages
  • Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors
  • Appoint CDM co-ordinator
  • Appoint principal contractor Make sure that the construction phase does not start unless there are suitable welfare facilities and a construction phase plan is in place.
  • Provide information relating to the health and safety file to the CDM co-ordinator
  • Retain and provide access to the health and safety file
CDM Coordinator No formal duties apply unless a job is 'Notifiable' however, many Clients choose to engage the services of a CDM Coordinator to fulfil their obligations to be competent in implementing the CDM Regs, manage and coordinate health & safety between various Duty Holders and also to carry out Contractor Competency Assessments.
  • Advise and assist the client with his/her duties
  • Notify HSE
  • Co-ordinate health and safety aspects of design work and cooperate with others involved with the project
  • Facilitate good communication between client, designers and contractors
  • Liaise with principal contractor regarding ongoing design
  • Identify, collect and pass on pre-construction information
  • Prepare/update health and safety file
Designers
  • Eliminate hazards and reduce risks during design
  • Provide information about remaining risks

NB A Designer can be ANYONE who specifies either the whole or a component of a job.
  • Check client is aware of duties and CDM co-ordinator has been appointed
  • Provide any information needed for the health and safety file
Principal Contractors No formal requirement for a Principal Contractor to be in charge of the construction however see Contractors Duties below.
  • Plan, manage and monitor construction phase in liaison with contractor
  • Prepare, develop and implement a written plan and site rules
  • Give contractors relevant parts of the plan
  • Make sure suitable welfare facilities are provided from the start and maintained throughout the construction phase
  • Check competence of all appointees
  • Ensure all workers have site inductions and any further information and training needed for the work
  • Consult with the workers
  • Liaise with CDM co-ordinator regarding ongoing design
  • Secure the site
Contractors
  • Plan, manage and monitor own work and that of workers
  • Check competence of all their appointees and workers
  • Train own employees
  • Provide information to their workers
  • Comply with the specific requirements in Part 4 of the Regulations
  • Ensure there are adequate welfare facilities for their workers
  • Check client is aware of duties, a CDM co-ordinator has been appointed and HSE notified before starting work
  • Co-operate with principal contractor in planning and managing work, including reasonable directions and site rules
  • Provide details to the principal contractor of any contractor whom he engages in connection with carrying out the work
  • Provide any information needed for the health and safety file Inform principal contractor of problems with the plan
  • Inform principal contractor of reportable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences
Workers  
  • Check own competence
  • Co-operate with others and co-ordinate work so as to ensure the health and safety of construction workers and others who may be affected by the work
  • Report obvious risks