What many clients are unaware of is their duties under CDM 2007…..
Firstly what is a client under CDM 2007. Firstly you need to decide if you are a domestic client, if this is the case the CDM 2007 does not apply.
Basically a domestic client is someone that is having work carried out on their own home or of a family member, that does not relate to business or trade.
Once the client establishes that the work is of a non domestic nature certain duties then apply under CDM 2007:
- The HSE must be notified of projects where construction work is expected to:
(a) last more than 30 working days; or
(b) involve more than 500 person days, for example 50 people working for over 10 days.
- Check competence and resources of all appointees
- Ensure there are suitable management arrangements for the project including welfare facilities
- Allow sufficient time and resources for all stages
- Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors
- Appoint a CDM co-ordinator (There must be a CDM co-ordinator until the end of the construction phase)
- Appoint principal contractor (There must be a principal contractor until the end of the construction phase)
- Make sure that the construction phase does not start unless there are suitable:
- welfare facilities, and
- construction phase plan 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
Once the appointment of the CDM coordinator is made, they should assist and advise the client with their duties. The CDM coordinator should notify the HSE as soon as possible after their appointment, updates to the notification can be carried out at a later date once the principle contractor is appointed or dates change etc.
