Health and Safety CDM 2015: What Homeowners Need to Know to Keep Their Projects Safe

‍Who Counts as a Domestic Client?

In simple terms, a domestic client is any homeowner hiring construction work that’s not business-related. This could be work on your own home or a family member’s place, like a new kitchen, extension, or even a full renovation.

This is different from a commercial client, who organizes construction work as part of their business. Under CDM 2015, commercial clients are fully responsible for health and safety on-site. As a domestic client, though, most of these duties shift to the professionals you hire, making things easier for you.

Why Domestic Clients Play an Important Role

While domestic clients don’t have to know all the ins and outs of construction safety, you do have some influence on the project’s safety.

You can do this by asking questions like:

• Do you have a strong track record in managing health and safety risks on similar projects?
• How will you ensure the work is done safely?
• Can you provide examples of safe project management?

By asking these questions and planning ahead, you’re doing your part to make sure the right people and practices are in place for a safe project.

So, Who’s Responsible for Health and Safety?

Depending on your project, different people may take on the responsibility for managing health and safety:

• One-Contractor Project: If you only need one contractor, that contractor will automatically take on the health and safety duties. This is usually no more than what they already do to keep their team safe.
• Multi-Contractor Project: If you have multiple contractors (for example, a plumber, electrician, and builder), a Principal Contractor takes on the client duties, coordinating health and safety across all teams.

What Skills, Knowledge, and Experience Do Domestic Clients Need?

Nope! CDM 2015 doesn’t require you to have any special skills or knowledge. You only need to make reasonable inquiries to ensure the contractors you hire are up to the job of managing health and safety. Think of yourself as the “selector” of professionals, picking the right people to make sure things are done safely and properly.

Your Step-by-Step Checklist as a Domestic Client

Here’s a simple checklist to make sure you’re covered under CDM 2015:

1. Figure Out Your Setup: Are you hiring one contractor or several? Knowing this will clarify where the duties lie.
2. Hire Carefully: Choose contractors and designers with good safety records, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about how they manage risks.
3. Consider Appointing a Principal Designer: If you have an architect or designer on board for a multi-contractor project, you can make them the Principal Designer with a written agreement, giving them the client duties.
4. Stay Connected: Even if you’re not directly managing health and safety, keep in touch with your contractors to make sure everything is on track and being done safely.

‍Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Understanding CDM 2015 can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right people in place, your project can be both safe and successful. If you’re not sure where to start or have questions about appointing a Principal Designer or Contractor, get in touch! We’re here to make the process simple and guide you every step of the way.

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