What are your client duties under CDM?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) place specific duties on all those involved with construction activities.
The aim of the regulations is to have the right people for the right job at the right time to manage hazards and risks. The focus is on effective planning and management of risks.
The term “client” applies to an individual, partnership or company. Under CDM the client must account for and include the following:
Appoint the right duty holders
The client must select competent duties holders for each stage of the project. This includes appointing a principal designer and a principal contractor (where more than one contractor is involved) who have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience.
Make sufficient preparations
The client must ensure that sufficient time and resources are allocated to the planning, management, and co-ordination of the project. This includes providing relevant information to others to carry out their roles effectively, such as existing site information and any known hazards, such as asbestos.
Notification of the project
The client must notify the HSE about the project if it meets the criteria for notification.
Co-ordinate and collaborate
The client is duty bound to promote effective communication, co-operation, and co-ordination between all project duty holders. This helps to ensure that risks are effectively managed.
Provide a suitable and safe environment
The client must ensure that the construction site is safe and suitable for the work to be carried out.
This includes taking steps to prevent unauthorised access, providing welfare facilities for workers, and considering the safety and security of neighbouring properties and people.
Carry out reviews and assessments
The client should actively engage with the project by reviewing and assessing health and safety information provided by duty holders. This includes reviewing the construction phase plan, health and safety files, and regularly monitoring the progress and performance of the project in terms of health and safety. The health and safety file must also be retained for the life of the project.
A client’s duties under CDM are designed to promote proactive management of health and safety in construction projects and reduce the risks.
By fulfilling their responsibilities, a client will contribute to the overall improvement of health and safety standards in the industry, along with successful completion of their project.
Aegis has successfully continuously provided CDM services from the introduction of the Regulations in 1994, right up to the present. During that time, we have been appointed to more than 3,000 projects by over 500 clients, ranging from small refurbishments to projects over £250 million in value. Contact our expert team for more advice.