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NOTES ON CONSTRUCTION DESIGN & MANAGEMENT (CDM) REGULATIONS

WHEN DO THEY APPLY?

For all non-domestic work where:

• The construction phase will be longer than 30 days
• The construction phase will involve more than 500 person days of construction work
• For all demolition contracts.

THE CLIENT'S DUTIES

• Determine if the project falls under the CDM Regulations
• Appoint a planning supervisor
• Be reasonably satisfied that the planning supervisor is competent
• Be reasonably satisfied that the designers he may appoint are competent
• Provide the planning supervisor and designers with information relevant to the health and safety of the project including any hazards relating to an existing building of which he may be aware
• Ensure that the construction phase does not start until the principal contractor has prepared an adequate health and safety plan
• Comply with health and safety legislation where the client's work activities or undertakings may be affected by the construction work
• Be reasonably satisfied that any contractors who the client arranges to carry out construction work are competent and have made adequate provision for health and safety.

THE PLANNING SUPERVISOR'S DUTIES

• Notify the HSE of the project
• If the client requests give advice as to the competence of the designers
• Ensure co-operation between designers
• Ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable that designers comply with their duties
• Ensure that the pre-tender health and safety plan is prepared
• If requested advise the client on the principal contractors health and safety plan
• Ensure that the health and safety file is compiled.

THE DESIGNERS DUTIES

• Make the client aware of their duties
• Identify the significant heath and safety hazards and risks of any design work
• Carry out risk assessments in relation to their design
• Provide adequate information on health and safety to those who need it
• Provide adequate information for the health & safety file
• Co-operate with the planning supervisor and other designers.

PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS DUTIES

• Develop and implement the health and safety plan
• Be reasonably satisfied that any contractor they appoint is competent and have made adequate provision for health and safety
• Obtain and check method statements from contractors
• Ensure the co-operation and co-ordination of contractors
• Ensure that health and safety training is carried out
• Have appropriate arrangements between contractors on site for health and safety
• Make arrangements for discussing health and safety matters with people on site
• Allow only authorised people onto site
• Display notification details
• Monitor health and safety performance
• Pass information to the planning supervisor for the health and safety file.

CONTRACTOR'S AND SUB-CONTRACTOR'S DUTIES

• Cary out risk assessments relating to their work and advise the principal contractor how these risks are to be controlled
• Inform the principal contractor of any death, injury, ill health or dangerous occurrence
• Provide the principal contractor with information for the health and safety file
• Co-operate with the principal contractor and other contractors
• Comply with the rules in the health and safety plan
• Follow any directions of the principal contractor so that the latter can comply with duties under the CDM Regulations
• Provide information to employees

For further information contact the Health and Safety Executive (click logo).