CDM Client Information

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, 2007, (CDM) impose new Health and Safety responsibilities upon non-domestic clients that are planning to undertake construction work. Thomas Consulting has qualified engineers that are also Association of Project Safety registered CDM Co-ordinators who can assist clients in relation to the CDM Regulations.

Requirements of the CDM Regulations

The Regulations are, subject to the responsible authority, enforced by either the Health and Safety Executive or the Local Authority. The Regulations require that on all construction projects the client must:

• Check the competence and resources of all designers and the Principle Contractor
• Ensure that suitable management arrangements are in place for the project
• That sufficient time is allowed for the contractor to plan construction works and mobilise resources
• Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors

Notifiable projects

Additional duties are imposed on "notifiable" projects i.e. projects that are required to be notified to the HSE before commencing detailed design work. Where the client must;

• Appoint a CDM Co-ordinator
• Appoint a Principle Contractor
• Ensure that construction work does not commence before suitable welfare facilities and a construction phase plan are in place
• Provide information relating to any existing Health and Safety File to the CDM Co-ordinator.

Failure to comply with the Regulations and the duties imposed may result in heavy criminal penalties being imposed on clients.

The HSE leaflet INDG411 entitled "Want Construction Work Done Safely" is a quick guide to the CDM Regulations written for clients in construction projects.

Download the CDM leaflet