Contractors duties are extensive and Contractors can include anybody carrying out work on a construction site.
For all projects
Plan, manage and monitor their own work and that of their workers -This is self evident and will involve maintaining established procedures
Check the competence of all of their appointees and workers – An abiding principle in CDM is the continuing need to make sure that those engaged in construction work are able to work safely and competently
Provide adequate and sufficient training for employees – Self evident
Provide information to workers generally – Again self evident
Comply with the specific requirements of Part 4 of The Regulations.Part 4 relates to specific duties around work on construction sites which is of paramount importance to contractors and which is likely to form the major part of a Contractors duties
Ensure that adequate welfare facilities are provided and maintained throughout the construction work – This can include temporary facilities or use of permanent accommodation
For notifiable projects
Check the client is aware of their duties and that a CDM coordinator has been appointed and that the HSE has been notified before work commencement. – This is an example of how duties overlap and demonstrates how a dutyholder ensures that the duties of others are discharged
Cooperate with the Principal Contractor in planning and managing work including compliance with reasonable directions and site rules – The requirement to coordinate activities is a recurring theme in CDM and this requirement is likely to form a large part of the Contractors Duties for notifiable projects
Provide details to the Principal Contractor of any Contractor whom he engages in connection with the work – This is to make sure that common procedures are applied to all and that competences can be checked and training given.
Provide any information required for the Health and Safety File – All Contractors have a duty to provide reasonable information for the Health and Safety File
Inform the Principal Contractor of any problems encountered with the Construction Phase Plan – Again a common duty to make sure that any problems can be addressed early in the process
Inform the Principal Contractor of any reportable accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences. This reinforces the statutory duty to report
