Clients Duties for all projects:
Appoint people and organisations that are competent and capable of carrying out the work they have to do – Self evident but for the Client, the checking process can be involved and time consuming. The Coordinator can provide invaluable advice and support at this stage
Ensure that any appointments are made early enough to enable those appointed to carry out their duties effectively – Clearly the earlier appointments are made the better
Make sure that management arrangements are put in place and maintained throughout the project – Clearly it would be unsafe to allow progress to take place without proper management structures in place
Allow sufficient time for each stage of the project including design, preparation and the construction itself. Time is precious and a rushed project runs the risk of key planning being missed
Provide any information that is likely to be needed by anybody involved – this goes back to the provision of Pre Construction Information and anything else which might come to light
Cooperate with everybody involved – Self evident
Coordinate own work with those of all involved – Again self evident
Be satisfied that any work places are designed to comply will all relevant legislation.
Give notice to Contractors of the minimum time they will be allow for planning and preparation between their appointment and starting the construction work – So as to enable them to plan properly
Make sure that suitable welfare facilities are provided from the start of the construction phase through to completion – this is a key duty and might include Client provided facilities or Contractor provided accommodation
Clients Duties for notifiable projects
Appoint a CDM Coordinator to advise and assist in the coordination of arrangements for health and safety during the design and planning phase – The approved code of practice requires that this appointment should be made before any significant detailed design work has taken place. Designers for their part are not permitted to undertake any design work over and above preliminary design until a CDM Coordinator has been appointed.
Appoint a Principle Contractor as soon as practicable – to advise on buildability and maintainability.
Do not allow construction works to start until a suitable and adequate Construction Phase Plan has been prepared by the Principal Contractor – Clearly it would be unsafe to permit a start until this key document is established
Do not allow construction works to start until adequate and sufficient welfare facilities have been put into place – A key Client duty
Agree the contents and format of the health and safety file and provide the CDM Coordinator will all relevant information for inclusion within this document.
Keep the resulting health and safety file safe and make it available for anybody who may need it in the future – The file must be updated as necessary and in the event of the disposal of the property, pass on the file to those acquiring the building.
The CDM Coordinator is ideally placed to help with Clients Duties. However until this appointment is made the Client will be deemed to be carrying out the CDM coordinators role, something that may lead to serious consequences for the Client.
The CDM Coordinator in addition to giving assistance in carrying out the Clients duties, as a construction professional will be able to give additional advice and guidance and add considerable value to the project. An early appointment therefore makes very good sense and may well lead to project cost savings.
