CDM Regs FAQ - Duties of the Principal Contractor

What are the main duties of the principal contractor?

The main duties of the principal contractor are to:

• plan, manage and monitor the construction phase to make sure, so far as is reasonably practicable, it is carried out without risks to health or safety
• ensure adequate welfare facilities for those working on the site
• draw up and implement the site rules as necessary
• draw up and implement the construction phase health and safety plan
• provide a suitable site induction and make sure those working on site have received the training they need to carry out the work safely and without risks to health
• make sure the site is suitably fenced and prevent unauthorised people from entering the site
• ensure co-operation between those working on the site, and that work is co-ordinated in such a way as to prevent danger
• ensure suitable arrangements for effective consultation with the workforce
• ensure the right health and safety information is provided to the right people at the right time

Source HSE

For more information on the Principal contractor click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - information on HSE Notification / F10

FAQs relevant to both the electronic and manual F10 forms

When must I complete an F10 form?

You should complete an F10 form when you think you are undertaking a project that will last more than 30 days or involve more than 500 person days. This is a legal requirement under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. An F10 does not need to be filled in for domestic projects.

What information must I provide to HSE?

The exact information that you must provide to HSE is outlined in Schedule I of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2007. On both the E-Form and the manual F10 forms, the information you must provide is marked with an asterisk (*).

Source HSE

To read more information on Notification/F10 click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - What are the CDM Regulations about?

What are the CDM Regulations about?

The CDM 2007 Regulations are about focusing attention on effective planning and management of construction projects, from design concept onwards. The aim is for health and safety considerations to be treated as a normal part of a project’s development, not an afterthought or bolt-on extra. The object of the CDM 2007 Regulations is to reduce the risk of harm to those that have to build, use, maintain and demolish structures.

Source HSE

To read more on this subject click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Who are Domestic Clients

Domestic clients

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

What is the definition of a domestic client?

The CDM Regulations 2007 define ‘client’ as a person who in the course or furtherance of a business seeks or accepts the services of someone to help carry out a project, or carries out a project themselves. Domestic clients are people who have work done to their own home or the home of a family member (which they live in or will live in), that does not relate to a trade or business, whether for profit or not. Local authorities, housing associations, charities, landlords and other businesses may own domestic property but they are not domestic clients.

Note: See separate questions for property developers and management companies.

It is the status of the person procuring the work that will determine if the Regulations apply, not the nature of the premises. For example, where alterations are carried out on a domestic house to improve disabled access, and that work is procured by a local authority, then the client will be the local authority and CDM client duties will apply, even though the work is being done in domestic premises for the benefit of the householder.

Source HSE

To read more about domestic clients click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Designer

Designers

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

Am I a designer?

To be a designer you have to be in a trade, business, or undertaking that involves you in preparing designs. In the Regulations the term ’designer’ relates to the function performed, rather than the profession or job title. So, for a construction project there could be ’traditional’ designers, such as architects, structural engineers and civil engineers, a design and build contractor etc. Building services engineers/consultants and quantity surveyors etc are also designers. You will also be a designer if you prepare drawings, specifications and bills of quantities.

Source HSE For information on CDM Regs and who is a designer click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Main duties of contractors

Contractors

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

What are the main duties of contractors under the CDM Regulations?

Contractors must co-operate with each other and with the principal contractor to co-ordinate their work activities. (This applies to adjoining sites as well as the project they are directly involved in.) Contractors should be competent for the work they are doing; plan, manage and monitor their own work to ensure health and safety; and provide suitable information and training for their workers to ensure their health and safety.

As a contractor, what should I do if the job is not notifiable and there is no principal contractor?

The contractor will be required to:

* inform the client of the their CDM 2007 duties if this has not already been done
* plan, manage and monitor the construction work to make sure it is carried out without risks to health and safety
* provide information, training and a suitable site induction for their workforce
* make sure the site is suitably fenced and prevent access by unauthorised persons
* ensure adequate welfare facilities for those working on the site

Source HSE

To read more on contractors duties under CDM Regs click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Is Competence is a key issue in the CDM

Competence

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

I have heard that competence is a key issue in the CDM Regulations. Why is this?

CDM 2007 competence is about being able to do your work safely, not endanger others and meet the legal health and safety requirements. There is justifiable emphasis on competence, because competent people are generally recognised as safer.

The duties in the Regulations work both ways. People making appointments have to take reasonable steps to make sure those appointed are competent for what they are expected to do. Likewise, those accepting such appointments should only do so if they are competent to undertake the activity.

What is the definition of competence?

To be competent an organisation or individual must have:

* sufficient knowledge of the tasks to be undertaken and the risks involved
* the experience and ability to carry out their duties in relation to the project, to recognise their limitations and take appropriate action to prevent harm to those carrying out construction work, or those affected by the work

Sourse HSE To read more on competence and the CDM Regs click here

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