CDM duty-holders – toolbox talk

Client

The client is the person or organisation for whom the construction project is carried out. Clients have overall responsibility for ensuring the project is properly managed.

Key duties include:

• Ensuring suitable management arrangements and sufficient resources
• Appointing a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor where required
• Providing relevant project and site information
• Ensuring suitable welfare facilities are in place
• Making sure arrangements remain effective throughout the project

For domestic projects, client duties are usually transferred to other duty holders.

Principal designer (PD)

The principal designer is appointed when more than one contractor is involved and is responsible for managing health and safety during the pre-construction phase.

Key duties include:

• Coordinating health and safety during design and planning
• Eliminating foreseeable risks where possible
• Ensuring designers comply with their legal duties
• Sharing relevant information with the Principal Contractor
• Preparing, reviewing and handing over the Health and Safety File

Designers

Designers include architects, engineers, surveyors and anyone who prepares or modifies a design.

Their duties include:

• Eliminating foreseeable risks through design decisions
• Considering future maintenance, use and demolition
• Communicating significant residual risks
• Avoiding hazards being “designed in” to the project

Principal contractor (PC)

The principal contractor manages health and safety during the construction phase where more than one contractor is involved.

Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing the Construction Phase Plan before work starts
• Coordinating contractors to ensure safe working practices
• Providing site inductions, welfare facilities and supervision
• Consulting with workers on health and safety matters
• Liaising with the Principal Designer over design changes

Where a project has only one contractor, that contractor must take on the Principal Contractor duties.

Contractors

Contractors are responsible for carrying out construction work safely.

They must:

• Plan, manage and monitor their work
• Follow site rules, RAMS and instructions
• Ensure workers are competent and properly equipped
• Maintain a safe working area

Workers

Everyone on site has legal duties. Workers must:

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety
• Follow site rules, training and instructions
• Report hazards, defects and unsafe conditions

• Use PPE, tools and equipment correctly