Client Duties under CDM Regulations

In general, the Client is responsible for ensuring that everyone else complies with their duties under the regulations. Since many clients will not have the necessary competence and experience to do this themselves, it is important that they appoint a competent person, as CDM Coordinator, as early in the project as possible. The CDM Coordinator can them provide the expertise needed by the Client.

Clients need to be aware that until they have appointed a competent, CDM Coordinator, they bare all the responsibilities themselves.

See the HSE Leaflet "Want Construction Work Done Safely?"

It is convenient to consider the Client’s duties under three main headings:

• All Projects
• Notifiable Projects
• Pre-Construction Information

All Projects

For all projects, regardless of size, the Client must ensure that:

• Competent designers, contractors and other team members are appointed.
• Designers follow the requirements of the "Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations"
• Adequate management arrangements are in place
• The activities of everyone are coordinated so as to ensure the safety of construction workers and others who may be affected
• Sufficient time and resources are allocated to enable the work to be carried out safely
• Suitable welfare facilities are provided throughout the Construction Phase

Notifiable Projects

As well as the duties listed above, the Client has additional responsibilities when a project is notifiable, namely:

• Competent CDM Coordinator is appointed (see CDM Coordinator duties)
• Competent Principal Contractor is appointed (see Principal Contractor duties)
• Health and Safety file is available for handover at the end of construction work
• Construction work doesn't begin until an adequate Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan is available and welfare arrangements are in place.

Pre-Construction Information

The Client is responsible for ensuring certain essential information is available before construction work is allowed to start, namely:

• Organise surveys to identify risks that might apply during the construction work and which might arise from sources that designers and contractors could not be expected to anticipate.
• Provide designers and contractors with health and safety information specific to the project. This needs to be part of the tendering process as an aid to assessing competence.

For additional guidance for clients, see:

• HSE Guidance Booklet
  "Want construction work done safely?"
• Construction Client Group
  "What you have to do if you want construction work done - and how to do it"
• Construction Client Group
  "Questions and Answers - Directory of Information"

See Reference pages for information on Legislation / Glossary / Weblinks