Notifiable construction projects

A construction project will be notifiable where the work lasts for more than 30 days or involves more than 500 person days of work (for example, 50 people working for more than 10 days).

There are many duties for people involved in notifiable construction projects and the following list, whilst not exhaustive, gives the main requirements of each duty-holder.
 

Clients

Clients have to:
  • Make competent appointments and ensure that there are adequate management arrangements in place (including time and resources).

  • Ensure that their own work is co-ordinated to ensure the safety and health of all those who may be affected by it and/or the proposed construction work.

  • Appoint a CDM co-ordinator and a principal contractor.

  • Provide relevant information to those involved in the project (to be included in the resulting pre-construction information).

  • Ensure suitable welfare arrangements are provided.

  • Ensure the health and safety file is available for inspection.

  • Ensure compliance with all other necessary health and safety and building regulations.

CDM co-ordinators

CDM co-ordinators have to:
  • Ensure their own competence to carry out duties.

  • Assist the client in discharging his or her duties by providing suitable and sufficient advice for making appointments and management of the project.

  • Notify the project to the HSE.

  • Provide pre-construction information relating to the project and all those who are to work on it.

  • Ensure that all involved in the project share relevant information about the work (that is; manage the flow of information and exchanges).

  • Ensure designers co-operate and apply design risk assessment principles in their design work.

  • Assess the contents of the construction phase health and safety plan, and advise the client on its suitability.

  • Collect and collate information relating to the project for inclusion into a developing and ‘user-friendly' health and safety file (to be delivered to the client at the end of the project).

Principal contractors

Principal contractors have to:
  • Ensure their own competence to carry out duties.

  • Ensure the client is aware of his or her duties and ensure satisfaction of the appointment of a suitable CDM coordinator.

  • Prepare a construction phase health and safety plan (and ensure that the information is updated during the course of the project).

  • Provide suitable information, instruction and training to all project workers.

  • Plan, manage and monitor construction work.

  • Provide suitable information, instruction and training to all project workers (including induction and establishing site rules).

  • Ensure all other contractors undertake their duties safely and without risks to health.

  • Ensure there are suitable mechanisms in place so that all workers can discuss health and safety issues.

  • Provide a secure site and suitable welfare facilities.

Contractors

Contractors have to:
  • Ensure their own competence to carry out duties.

  • Provide information for the construction phase health and safety plan.

  • Plan, manage and monitor construction work (in accordance with the construction phase health and safety plan).

  • Provide suitable information, instruction and training to all project workers under their control.

  • Liaise with the principal contractor to discuss health and safety issues.