CDM requirements for homeowners

[RichA]

Grateful for a steer on CDM. My concern is that the regulations may put the onus on me - and it is an area I know little about.

I intend to build a relatively a large rear 2-story extension. I have an architect that has done the drawings for planning. We are now moving on to drawings/docs for tender. We are to appoint a structural engineer to do structural plans/cals (but they have a caveat that says they are not acting as Principal Designer under CDM regs). I intend to appoint a main contractor to do the build.

I have read this:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/domestic-clients.htm

What is standard practice? For the main contractor to take on the responsibilities?

What do I need to do? Just ensure that the main contractor is aware of requirements and that it is their responsibility?

Thanks.

 

[chappers]

then your main contractor will be responsible for CDM

 

[Nakajo]

It's a good question (if a somewhat boring one), and one which I think the HSE doesn't adequately address. However, I don't think the main contractor can absolve themselves of this responsibility, so I think at the point that the Architect withdraws from the project, the construction phase PD duties are automatically transferred to the contractor - unless you have a specific written agreement that someone else is to undertake those duties.

 

[tony1851]

The change in 2015 was intended to bring domestic extensions into the regs, but seems unnecessarily complex.
HSE themselves have admitted recently that the change may not be working too well.

 

[^woody^]

Its craply worded and confusingly implemented.

Unless you appoint a designer in writing, and that designer accepts, then the role of principle designer will fall with the principle contractor. But all designers including your caveated engineer, still have obligations under CDM and that means that say, the engineer must provided detailed method statements and risk assessments for that unfeasibly large beam that he will over engineer to protect his PI.

The principle contractor will be the contractor if there is one, but if there is more than one it will be the main contractor - unless let's say you get Mick and his JCB on site first to dig the foundations, in which case Mick becomes the principle contractor for the whole job. Poor Mick.

As the client you need to ensure that the CDM stuff is carried out and in place, but not get involved in preparing it.

 

[Nakajo]

Good luck finding a contractor with principles

 

[RichA]

Thanks all. Helpful stuff.

As the client you need to ensure that the CDM stuff is carried out and in place, but not get involved in preparing it.

What does this usually mean in practice?

Ask Engineer, Architect and Contractor if they have carried out the CDM? Request to see it? Assess whether it is suitable/sufficient?

I cannot really understand why this has ended up falling on the client. Would it not have made sense to get building control to assess CDM is being applied?

 

[Ian H]

Coffee, Digestives and Milk?

 

[Nakajo]

RichA Probably because it's got absolutely nothing to do with Building Control

 

[^woody^]

Thanks all. Helpful stuff.


What does this usually mean in practice?

Ask Engineer, Architect and Contractor if they have carried out the CDM? Request to see it? Assess whether it is suitable/sufficient?

I cannot really understand why this has ended up falling on the client. Would it not have made sense to get building control to assess CDM is being applied?

It means that whilst you don't have to get involved with the detail of preparing the required h&s stuff or the ongoing monitoring, you do need to ensure that it is done. At its basic level, you would ask if the likes of the pre construction phase planning and construction phase have been and are being done, ask if subcontractors or operatives have been trained and inducted, ask if materials are safe and risk and method statements are in place.

At the end of the job, the client gets a H&S Manual, which details all materials, any hazards and how to safely operate and maintain installations and the building generally

You can't opt out of your responsibility to see that the things are done. If you are not sure of what to do or what to ask, then you should employ someone experienced to advise you.

It's got nothing to do with building control as it's a h&s duty, and the idea is that everyone from client to subcontractors have involvement in h&s on site, and maintenance afterwards.

In reality nothing comes of not bothering with CDM unless something goes wrong and there is an injury. And that means that anyone can be affected not only at the time of building but several years afterwards.