Plan, manage and monitor the construction phase, whilst in liaison with other contractors – Principal Contractors Duties include the key responsibility for managing all aspects of the Construction Phase. Ultimately everything that happens on site is the responsibility of the Principal Contractor
Prepare a preliminary Construction Phase Health and Safety plan before the construction phase begins and issue to the Coordinator – The preliminary plan need not be complete, just sufficiently developed to allow a start on site.
Develop and implement the construction phase plan and regularly review throughout the construction phase – The process is continuous and ongoing throughout the works and can only be achieved by effective communication between the parties
Issue to Contractors, parts of the plan as relevant to their work – There is no need for the Principal Contractor to issue everything to everybody, just what they need to know to plan and undertake their work.
Check the competence of all appointees – another of the key Principal Contractors duties. All appointees need to have adequate health and safety standards, a suitable amount of experience and training. Any appointees that fail to meet these requirements are likely to be excluded from the site.
Ensure all site workers and visitors have site inductions and provide all further information and training needed to carry out the work – This is a key duty designed to keep anybody visiting or working on the site safe and well informed as to site rules and procedures.
Consult with building operatives throughout – A great deal of information and insight can be gleaned in discussions with the operatives.
Liaise with the CDM Coordinator regarding design throughout the construction phase – This dovetails in with the CDM Coordinator duty to liaise with the Principal Contractor.
Make sure that the site is well secured throughout – A secure well organised site is also more likely to be a safe site.
