CDM 2015 Quick Guide For School Clients
INTRODUCTION
CDM 2015 was introduced in 2015 and applies to ALL construction work. If more than one contractor is being used (this includes sub-contractors) the client MUST appoint a Principal Designer AND a Principal Contractor. This is a LEGAL requirement
As a client, it is your responsibility to appoint a principal designer and principal contractor, who will be responsible for managing the health and safety aspects of the project. The principal designer is responsible for ensuring that the design process is safe and that any risks are identified and eliminated or reduced. The principal contractor is responsible for ensuring that the construction process is safe and that all workers on site are properly trained and equipped to carry out their tasks safely.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CDM?
Almost everyone on a construction project will have a legal duty so it’s important to know who has what duty, what they’re responsible for and if they’re complying with the law. We often speak with schools where they don’t think its applicable as the job is too small or they ‘know the contractor so its fine’. This is simply not the case and can have quite severe consequences with the HSE. In terms of the type of project, the CDM Regulations cover anything from groundworks and temporary structures to refurbishment and extensions – and everything else in between.
As an educational establishment, the most important starting point is identifying who the ‘client’ is, and this is determined essentially by who is placing the order for the works and how it is being funded.
For example, if a school was having a toilet refurbishment funded by DFC or their school budget the client would be the governing body of the school. However, if the school was part of a Multi Academy and was being funded through SCA then the Academy would be the client. A Principal Designer, once appointed would be able to help and guide the client through their requirements and duties so its essential to appoint a Principal Designer as early as possible when considering undertaking any type of work.
WHAT ARE MY DUTIES AS A CLIENT?
Most importantly, appoint the right people at the right time.
As a client, you have a legal duty to ensure that you have appointed a principal designer and principal contractor and that you have provided them with all the information they need to carry out their roles. This includes providing them with a pre-construction information, which includes information on the site, the project, and any known risks or hazards.
You should also ensure that a construction phase plan is in place, which outlines how health and safety will be managed during the construction process. The construction phase plan should be reviewed and updated as necessary, and it should be provided to all relevant parties.
It is also important for clients to ensure that all relevant parties, such as designers and contractors, are aware of their responsibilities under CDM 2015 and that they are working together to achieve a common goal of maintaining a safe and healthy construction site.
It’s worth remembering that both the appointment of the Principal Designer and the Principal Contractor must be made in writing. If you do not do this, then you take on these roles and associated legal duties yourself.
Certain projects must be notified to the enforcing authorities as early as possible. It is the clients responsibility to submit this notification called an F10, or they may choose to delegate to a 3rd party such as the principal designer. To find out more about the F10 notice click here
Any project which is expected to last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working on the project at any one time, or that will exceed 500 person days must be notified.
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY FILE
At the end of the project, you must ensure that the principal designer provides you with the health and safety file. The health and safety file contains the information needed to ensure the health and safety of anyone carrying out any future construction, demolition, cleaning or maintenance work on your building or structure.
Once the project is completed, the client or the owner of the building must keep the health and safety file readily available. It should be kept separate from the building maintenance manual to avoid losing information that may be required urgently.
If responsibility for the premises is passed on or shared, you must give the health and safety file to each new owner and make it available to leaseholders and ensure that they are aware of the nature and purpose of the file. You must also ensure that the file is regularly revised and updated, and made available to anyone who may need it to comply with health and safety law.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, CDM 2015 regulations place a significant emphasis on the role of clients in maintaining health and safety on construction sites. As a client, it is important to appoint the right professionals, provide them with the information they need, and ensure that all relevant parties are working together to achieve a safe and healthy construction environment. By fulfilling these responsibilities, clients can help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on site and ensure that the construction process is completed safely and efficiently.
Also remember, just because a project is small, and does not meet the notification thresholds, doesn’t mean you can forget about CDM. It still applies, and it is important to be familiar with the requirements and your duties.