Introduction
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM 2015) are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects. CDM applies to all building and construction work and includes new build, demolition, refurbishment, extensions, conversions, repair and maintenance.
Which role do you have?
Organisations or individuals can undertake the role of more than one duty holder, provided they have the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to fulfil those roles in a way that secures health and safety.
In general Compass Group should only be taking on the role of Client when doing CAPEX works that may include refurbishments, upgrades to existing facilities or installations of a cafe or restaurant into an existing space within an existing structure. We can share this role with our contractual client also and in many cases this is the best option. We should only be taking on the role of Principal Contractor or Principal Designer if the Project Team have the relevant experience and qualifications in the Construction Industry (If this is a consideration, consult with your HSE Sector Lead immediately).
In all works you should always consult with your HSE Sector Lead and also ensure our legal team are involved in terms of contractual liabilities as in most cases a JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) will be required, these contracts are a set of standard building contracts used in the UK construction industry.
All Contractors being used should also have SSIP Certification such as SAFE Contractor.
Check which role you have and which documents you need to download.
Guidance Documents
- CDM 2015 - Design Risk Management Guidance (Issue to Principal Designer)
- CDM 2015 - Health and Safety File Guidance (Issue to Principal Designer)
- CDM 2015 - Guidance for the Principal Contractor on The Construction Phase Plan (Issue to Principal Contractor)
- CDM 2015 - Outline of the Requirements of the Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations (Issue to Principal Contractor)
- CDM 2015 - Client Project Health and Safety Management Arrangements Guidance
- CDM 2015 - Client Duties Guidance
- CDM 2015 - Client Project Health and Safety Management Plan for Simple Projects
- CDM 2015 - Client Project HS Management Plan for Major High Risk Complex Projects
- CDM 2015 - Assessment of the Principal Contractors Construction Phase Plan Guidance
- CDM 2015 - Assessment of the Principal Contractors Construction Phase Plan
- CDM 2015 - Pre-construction Information Guidance Document
- CDM 2015 - Pre-construction Information Document for Small Projects
- CDM 2015 - Pre-construction Information Document for Medium to Large
What makes a project F10 notifiable?
These are that a project is notifiable if the construction work on a construction site is scheduled to: (a) last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project; or (b) exceed 500 person days.
Who must notify the HSE?
If the client is a: commercial client, then they must notify HSE domestic client – notification must be carried out by the: contractor (or principal contractor if there is more than one contractor) principal designer where there is a written agreement that they will carry out the client's duties.
Training that should be completed before being involved in any CDM projects;
Those working as Project Managers should complete the CDM in Practice Course available via Astutis - Course Information
Those working as a Site Manager should complete the CITB SMSTS Course - Site Management Safety Training Scheme - Safety Plus via HSS Training - Course Information
A client is an organisation or individual having a construction project carried out in connection with a business.
The CDM regulations apply to both domestic and commercial clients. This guidance is for commercial clients.
A client has responsibility to make suitable arrangements for managing a project.
This includes making sure that:
- other duty holders are appointed
- sufficient time and resources are allocated
- relevant information is prepared and provided to other duty holders
- the principal designer and principal contractor carry out their duties
- welfare facilities are provided
A principal designer is appointed by the client of projects with more than one contractor.
It can be an organisation or an individual with sufficient knowledge, experience and ability to carry out the role.
The principal designer (PD) must be a designer and have control over the pre-construction phase of the project.
The PD is responsible for planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating health and safety in the pre-construction phase of a project.
This includes:
- identifying, eliminating or controlling foreseeable risks
- ensuring designers carry out their duties.
- Preparing and providing relevant information to other duty holders.
The PD also liaises with the principal contractor to help in the planning, management and monitoring of the health and safety in the construction phase.
The PD will usually be an organisation or, on smaller projects, they can be an individual with:
- a technical knowledge of the construction industry, relevant to the project
- the understanding and skills to manage and co-ordinate the pre-construction phase, including any design work carried out after construction begins.
The PD should have the organizational capability to carry out the role, as well as the necessary design skills, knowledge and experience.
A designer is someone who as part of a business, prepares or modifies designs for a building, product or system relating to construction work.
The designer’s role when preparing or modifying designs is to eliminate, reduce or control foreseeable risks that may happen during construction or maintenance and use of a building after it’s been built.
The designer also provides information to other members of the project team to help them fulfil their duties.
A principal contractor is appointed by the client to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the construction phase of a project when there’s more than one contractor involved.
The principal contractor’s duty is to:
- plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the construction phase of a project
- liaise with the client and principal designer
- prepare the construction phase plan
- organise cooperation between contractors and coordinate their work.
They must ensure that:
- suitable site inductions are provided
- reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access
- workers are consulted and engaged in health and safety matters
- welfare facilities are provided.
A contractor is the individual or organisation doing the actual construction work.
If you are a sole trader, self-employed worker, individual or business carrying out, managing or controlling work in the construction industry then this guidance is for you.
Anyone who directly engages construction workers or manages construction work is a contractor.
This includes companies that use their own workforce to do the work on their premises and duties apply to all workers be they employees, self-employed or agency workers.
The contractor’s duty is to:
- plan, manage and monitor construction work under their control so that it is carried out without risks to health and safety.
- for projects involving more than one contractor, coordinate their activities with others in the project team – in particular, comply with directions given to them by the principal designer or principal contractor.
- for single contractor projects, prepare a construction phase plan.
A worker is an individual working for or under the control of contractors on a construction site.
As people working for or under the control of contactors on a construction site the workers have duties as well as their employers.
Workers must:
- be consulted about matters which affect their health, safety and welfare
- take care of their own health and safety and others who may be affected by their actions
- report anything they see which is likely to endanger either their own or others’ health and safety
- cooperate with their employer, fellow workers, contractors and other duty holders.