What is CDM?
The Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations 2015 help to improve health and safety in the construction industry and ensuring that the proposed work is not going to put anyone at risk. The regulations necessitate a commitment to managing construction projects for Health & Safety; with all parties contributing to the avoidance, reduction and controlling of Health & Safety risks those construction workers would otherwise be exposed to. The aim of the regulations is for health and safety contributions to be treated as part of a projects development.
The CDM Regulations application to all projects, irrespective of size, however only some projects are notifiable.
Domestic Clients under the CDM Regulations 2015
Domestic clients are people who have work done to their own home or the home of a family member (where they live or will live), that does not relate to a trade or business. It is worth noting that if a domestic client has significant control over the way the work is done , additional duties under Part 4 of the regulations may be applicable. The extent of the duty is in proportion to the degree of control clients have over the work in question.
Under the 2015 regulations domestic projects fall under the CDM regulations however many of the duties can be passed to either the Principal Designer or Principal Contractor.
Client Duties
In brief the responsibilities of the Client under the CDM regulations is:-
Make suitable arrangements for managing a project.
This includes:
– Assembling the project team, including appointing a Principle Designer and Principle Contractor, ensuring each team member’s competence to carry out their duties and that they are clear of their roles and responsibilities.
– Ensuring sufficient resources and time are allocated at all project stages through to completion.
– Ensuring effective arrangements are in place to facilitate team communication, cooperation and coordination for their activities.
– Take reasonable steps to ensure the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor are carrying out their duties.
– Setting out means to ensure the health and safety performance of designers and contractors is maintained throughout.
– Ensure workers are provided with suitable welfare facilities for the duration of the project.
– The construction work can be carried out, so far as is reasonably practicable, without risks to the health or safety of any person affected by the project;
– Maintain and review the management arrangements for the duration of the project.
Pre-construction information – to identify hazards, including those arising from previous work, site conditions and activities on or near site etc. This is any information e.g. asbestos survey, underground services, structural drawings etc that the other duty holders may need before starting work on a project. The client has the main duty for providing the pre-construction information to all duty holders.
Construction Phase Plan – the client must ensure the Principal Contractor has drawn this up pre-commencement of any work on site. The Construction Phase Plan outlines the health and safety arrangements, site rules and specific measures concerning particular risks.
Health and Safety File – the client must ensure the Principal Designer prepares this File. The purpose of this File is to ensure you have all the necessary information with regard to health and safety risks that anyone carrying out subsequent construction work on the building will need to know about. This file is to be provided to relevant persons who acquire an interest in the property/ structure.
For more information please see https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015 or contact us for more information or to discuss your project.
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