Clients

The role of the client has been given a higher profile in CDM 2007 to ensure that the construction team is provided with leadership and to make clients clearly accountable for the impact of their approach on the health and safety of those working on, or affected by, the project.

• It is recognised that clients may not have the expertise or resources, to plan and manage projects themselves, but they must make sure that arrangements are in place to ensure that duties of others under CDM 2007 are carried out. There is also a duty to see that the arrangements, once agreed, are effective.
• Clients are also expected to take an active role in co-operating with the co-ordinator in creating the pre-construction information pack. In particular, the client should consider any specific requirements they have at this point in the procurement process, in order to avoid change and possible later conflict. Issues such as access points and any rules for contracting organisations in occupied premises need to be considered.
• It should be noted that in some forms of procurement, the role of the client may shift to different parties, for example in PFI/PPP (Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnerships) forms of contract. Clients should anticipate this and make suitable arrangements.
• Where a project is notifiable under CDM 2007, the client must appoint a CDM co-ordinator and a principal contractor. It is good practice for clients to consider whether they need health and safety assistance to ensure compliance with other legislation, such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, for all projects (notifiable or not).