Health

Healthand
andSafety
Safety
Executive
Executive

CDM 2007 Training

Package
Session 5 Principal
contractors & contractors
Version: September 2007

Duties on the principal

contractor (1)

Little change between CDM 1994 and CDM

2007

Client should appoint a PC for notifiable projects

and appoint as soon as is practicable

Principal contractor should ensure that client is

aware of duties, CDM co-ordinator has been
appointed and HSE notified

Those they appoint are competent

The construction phase is properly planned,
managed, monitored and resourced
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 2

Duties on the principal

contractor (2)

Inform contractors of the minimum time allowed for planning

and preparation
Provide relevant information to contractors
Ensure safe working, co-ordination and co-operation
between contractors
Construction phase health and safety plan is prepared and
implemented
Plan needs to set out the organisation and
arrangements for managing risk and co-ordinating work
Plan should be tailoured to the particular project and
risks involved
Suitable welfare from the start
Manage health and safety on site,
not the paperwork
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 3

Duties on the principal

contractor (3)

Prepare and enforce site rules as required

Give reasonable direction to contractors
including client appointed contractors
Prevent unauthorised entry
Provide plan to those who need it
Promptly provide the CDM co-ordinator with
information for the file
Liaise with CDM co-ordinator in relation to
design and design changes
Ensure all workers have been provided with
suitable health and safety induction, information
and training
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 4

Duties on the principal

contractor (4)

Ensure the workforce is consulted about health

and safety matters

Display key project information to workers

Does not have to
Provide training to workers they do not
employ (but contractors do)
Undertake detailed supervision of contractors
work
Fill the construction phase plan with irrelevant
information or endless generic paperwork
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 5

Principal contractors Key

messages

You will benefit from the changes to the CDM

Regulations by being involved in the project
earlier, working to designs that are safer and
healthier to build, receiving more relevant
information and less paperwork

It will be easier for you to show the client that

you and your contractors have the right skills and
experience for the job

Manage health and safety on site manage the

risk, not the paperwork
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 6

Duties on contractors and self

employed all projects (1)

Check clients are aware of their duties

Plan, manage and monitor their own work

to make sure that their workers are safe

Ensure they and those they appoint are

competent and adequately resourced

Not start work until they have obtained

the pre-construction information from the
client (or PC)

CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 7

Duties on contractors and self

employed all projects (2)

Inform any contractor that they engage, of the

minimum amount of time they have for planning
and preparation

Provide their workers (whether employed or selfemployed) with any necessary information and
training and induction

Report anything that they are aware of that is

likely to endanger the H&S of themselves or
others

Ensure that any design work they do complies

with CDM design duties
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 8

Duties on contractors and self

employed all projects (3)

Comply with the duties for site health and safety

Consult the workforce

Obtain specialist advice (e.g. from a structural

engineer or occupational hygienist) where
necessary

Co-operate and co-ordinate with others working on

the project
Not begin work unless they have taken reasonable
steps to prevent unauthorised access to the site

CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 9

Duties on contractors and self

employed notifiable projects (1)

Check that a CDM co-ordinator has been appointed

and HSE notified before they start work

Co-operate with the principal contractor, CDM coordinator and others working on the project

Tell the principal contractor about risks to others

created by their work

Comply with any reasonable directions from the

principal contractor

Work in accordance with the construction phase plan

CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 10

Duties on contractors and self

employed notifiable projects (2)

Inform the principal contractor of the identity of

any contractor he appoints or engages

Inform the principal contractor of any problems

with the plan or risks identified during their work
that have significant implications for the
management of the project

Inform the principal contractor about any death,

injury, condition or dangerous occurrence

Provide information for the health and safety file

CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 11

Contractors Key messages

You will benefit from the changes to the CDM

Regulations by being involved in the project
earlier, working to designs that are safer and
healthier to build, receiving more relevant
information and less paperwork

It will be easier for you to show the principal

contractor, or your client, that you and your
subcontractors have the right skills and
experience for the job

Manager health and safety on site manage the

risk, not the paperwork
CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 12

Workers & self employed Key

messages

The new CDM Regulations will help make

construction workplaces safer and
healthier with good welfare facilities from
the start

You have a role to show that you have the

right skills and experience to work without
injury and ill health

CDM 2007 PC & contractors Slide 13