CDM duty holders

For projects involving more than one contractor, the CDM Regulations identify six duty holders who play a part in ensuring safety.

The Client – for whom the project is being carried out. The client has the entire health and safety responsibility at the tendering stage of the project.

The Principal Designer – who plans and co-ordinates health and safety in the pre-construction phase of the project. The Principal designer has health and safety responsibility throughout the pre-construction phase.

Designers – who work under the control of the principal designer

The Principal Contractor – who plans and co-ordinates health and safety during the construction phase of the project. The principal contractor has health and safety responsibility throughout the construction phase of the project.

Contractors – who work under the control of the principal contractor and may be referred to as Sub-contractors

Workers – who undertake the construction work.

The regulations also require the preparation of a construction phase plan for all construction work and a health and safety file for the finished structure if the construction work involved more than one contractor organisation.