CDM co-ordinator

The CDM Regulations were substantially revised on 6 April 2015. These revisions saw the role of CDM Co-ordinator transferred to a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor. The Principal Designer (PD) is responsible for the pre-construction phase whilst the Principal Contractor is responsible for the construction phase.

Text regarding the 2007 regulations is provided below for historical reference and for projects which may retain a CDM Co-ordinator during a transitional phase of up to 6 months after 6 April 2015, if they have already been appointed on 6 April 2015. A Principal Designer must be appointed by 6 October 2015.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM Regulations) are intended to ensure health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development so the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.

They were introduced in 1994 and came into force on 31 March 1995. They were substantially revised in 2007.

The 2007 regulations impose duties on:

The client. (See CDM client for more information)
Designers. (See CDM designers for more information)
The CDM co-ordinator.
The principal contractor.
Contractors. (See CDM contractors for more information)
Workers. (See CDM workers for more information)

The Regulations require that a CDM co-ordinator is appointed on projects that last more than 30 days or involve 500 person-days of construction work. A project should not progress beyond 'preliminary design' without the appointment of a CDM co-ordinator. Concept design is considered to be beyond 'preliminary design' and may therefore require the appointment of a CDM co-ordinator.

The CDM co-ordinator's role is to advise the client on matters relating to health and safety during the design process and during the planning phases of construction.

The CDM co-ordinator is expected to:

Notify the Health and Safety Executive of the particulars specified in schedule 1 of the regulations using Form F10. A project is notifiable if it is likely to last longer than 30 days or involve more than 500 person-days of construction work.
Advise the client as to the adequacy of resources.
Co-ordinate health and safety aspects of design work and co-operate with others involved with the project.
Facilitate good communication between the client, designers and contractors.
Provide, or ensure that the client provides relevant pre-construction information as defined in Regulation 10.
Advise on the suitability, co-ordination and compatibility of designs in relation to health and safety.
Advise on the adequacy of the construction phase plan before construction works begin
Advise on the adequacy of any subsequent changes to the construction phase plan.
Liaise with the principal contractor regarding any ongoing design work during construction.
Prepare or compile the health and safety file and issue the health and safety file to the client at the end of the construction phase.

On design and build, prime contract or private finance initiative (PFI) projects, the client may, if required, appoint a CDM co-ordinator in the early stages of the project before a contractor (or integrated supply team in the public sector) has been appointed. This role may then be transferred to the contractor (or integrated supply team) once contracted.

While a CDM co-ordinator is not required on non-notifiable projects so long as co-ordination and co-operation (regulations 5 and 6) can be assured. Higher risk projects such as demolition require a more rigorous approach with proportionate controls in place.