CDM Co-ordinator

Everyone working on construction projects has health and safety duties and responsibilities whether they are clients, designers or contractors. The CDM Regulations impose certain duties on the Client and his designers in respect of construction projects.

The purpose of the statute is to make the Client ultimately responsible for the safety of any person engaged on the physical construction of his building, and also subsequent cleaning, maintenance, alterations and demolitions during the life cycle of the building. Breach of these Regulations is a criminal offence.

The appointment of a competent CDM Co-ordinators is a statutory appointment and does not form part of the Architect’s, Designer’s or other Consultant’s normal services, and is the subject of a separate appointment. This is now due as the Health and Safety considerations begin at concept design and feasibility stage. In the context of the Regulations it is essential that the CDM Co-ordinator should be experienced in the process of design and construction as well as the application of the health and safety regulations.

As Architects we have undertaken additional health and safety training and are able to provide the Planning Supervisor’s service. CDM Co-ordinators duties would include:

• Adequately advising the Client and Contractor of their obligations
  
• Notifying the project to the HSE
  
• Ensuring designs comply with the regulations
  
• Co-ordinating the designers
  
• Preparing a pre-tender Health & Safety Plan
  
• Preparing and maintaining a Health & Safety File and handing over same to Client on completion of the project

Client Duties would include:

• The appointment of a competent CDM Co-ordinator and Principal Contractor
  
• Ensuring no construction works commence until a Health Safety Plan has been prepared
  
• Ensuring the CDM Co-ordinator is provided with information relative to the conditions of premises and/or site on which the works are to be carried out
  
• Ensuring the Health & Safety File is fully maintained, updated and made available to any persons working on, maintaining or cleaning the completed project

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