Domestic
We work with Contractors and Designers in the domestic sector to provide simple, tailor-made documentation that ensures compliance and allows projects to be carried out with health and safety as the number one priority.
In 2015, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015) applied certain duties to domestic Clients, Contractors and Designers. Essentially, it is presumed that a domestic Client would not have the skills, knowledge or experience to manage a construction project. Therefore, the Client duties are taken on by Contractor if there is only one Contractor for a project, the Principal Contractor where there is more than one Contractor for a project, or the Principal Designer where there is a written agreement that the Principal Designer will fulfil those duties.
It is worth noting that if a domestic Client fails to appoint a Principal Contractor or Principal Designer for the project, the Designer in control of the pre-construction phase of the project automatically becomes the Principal Designer, and the Contractor in control of the construction phase of the project is the Principal Contractor.
Who is a domestic Client?
A domestic client is anyone who has construction work carried out for them that is not done in connection with a business. This usually involves work done on their own home or the home of a family member. A Client who has construction work carried out for them that is done in connection with a business is a commercial Client. Therefore, they must undertake the Client duties under CDM 2015, or appoint a CDM Advisor to assist them in carrying out their duties.
Do I need a Construction Phase Plan for every domestic project?
Yes, but this should be proportionate to the size of the job. Safe Track Associates Limited have Construction Phase Plan templates for both small works and large works. The small works template is perfect for domestic projects and can quickly and easily be adapted to each individual project. We can even write the first one with you to ensure you know what you are doing.
Call us now to get support on writing Construction Phase Plans on 0117 908 3860.
I am a Contractor on a domestic project. How can Safe Track Associates Limited help me?
Safe Track Associates Limited can help you stay compliant and ensure high levels of health and safety are adhered to by yourself and your team. We can supply you with all of the documentation that you need, including a small works Construction Phase Plan template that prompts you to provide all of the necessary information – we can even write the first one with you to ensure you know what you are doing.
We also provide training, risk assessments, method statements, audits , safety management systems, and incident reporting and investigation.
What do I need to do if I am appointed as a Contractor on a domestic project?
Under CDM 2015, if you are the Principal Contractor or the only Contractor on a domestic project, you must take on the Client duties, as well as the duties of Principal Contractor. The only time you will not be required to take on the Client duties is where there is a written agreement that the Principal Designer will take on these duties.
These 10 simple steps will ensure you are on the right path to compliance:
- Confirm whether you have the use of the domestic premises welfare facilities or whether you need to supply these yourself;
- Obtain as much information about the site / premises from the Client as possible. This includes ensuring that any surveys required have been carried out prior to works starting i.e. if the building was built pre-2000 and the Client cannot provide a survey to confirm that there is no asbestos in the building, a Refurbishment / Demolition Asbestos Survey will need to be undertaken;
- Ensure any Sub-Contractors that you use are competent prior to appointment i.e. they have the skills, knowledge, training and experience to complete the activities they will be undertaking. Sub-Contractors must provide Risk Assessments and Method Statements for their works prior to starting on site;
- Ensure any Sub-Contractors provide Risk Assessments and Method Statements for the activities they will be undertaking;
- Write a simple Construction Phase Plan that covers the hazards on site and the activities that are to be undertaken;
- Provide a suitable site induction to every worker on the project. This must include the main hazards and the emergency procedures for the site as a minimum;
- Communicate the Construction Phase Plan to every worker on the project – daily co-ordination meetings are a great way of communicating developments in the project and the activities to be carried out that day;
- Ensure the public cannot gain access to your working area;
- Carry out at least one site manager’s audit of the project (we recommend this on projects that span over more than 1 week with more than one person undertaking the work);
- Ensure that a Health and Safety File is compiled, either by the Principal Designer, or yourself if there is no Principal Designer appointed to the project.
Safe Track Associates Limited can support domestic Contractors to comply with CDM 2015. Call us now to discuss your projects on 0117 908 3860.
I am a Designer on a domestic project. How can Safe Track Associates Limited help me?
Safe Track Associates Limited can help you stay compliant and ensure high levels of health and safety are adhered to by all persons appointed on your domestic projects. We can supply you with all of the documentation that you need, including a Design Risk Assessment template that prompts you to provide all of the necessary information – we can even write the first one with you to ensure you know what you are doing. We also provide CDM training that is relevant to all projects, whether they are small domestic developments all the way to large multi-billion pound schemes with complex design and construction requirements.
What do I need to do if I am appointed as a Designer on a domestic project?
A designer is an organisation or individual whose work involves preparing or modifying designs for construction projects, or arranging for / instructing others to do this. Designers can be architects, consulting engineers and quantity surveyors, or anyone who specifies and alters designs as part of their work. They can also include others if they carry out design work, such as Contractors or tradespeople e.g. an electrician who designs the layout and specification of an electrical installation.
If you are the Designer in control of the pre-construction phase of a domestic project, you must fulfil the duties of the Principal Designer. In addition to this, if there is a written agreement that the Principal Designer will undertake the Client duties on a domestic project, then you must fulfil the Client duties as well.
These 5 simple steps will ensure you are on the right path to compliance:
- Obtain as much information about the site / premises from the Client as possible. This includes ensuring that any surveys required have been carried out prior to works starting i.e. if the building was built pre-2000 and the Client cannot provide a survey to confirm that there is no asbestos in the building, a Refurbishment / Demolition Asbestos Survey will need to be undertaken;
- Share as much as you can in regards to the pre-construction information you have gained from the domestic Client (see step 1 above) to any Contractors and Designers appointed (or being considered for appointment), highlighting the need for any surveys that must be undertaken prior to works commencing on site.
- Undertake a Design Risk Assessment of the design from conception to end of life. This tool is used to show how your design decisions could affect the health and safety of Contractors and Workers carrying out the construction work, as well as those who use, maintain, repair, clean, refurbish and eventually demolish the building / part of building you have designed, and how best to reduce, isolate or control the hazards that have not been eliminated.
- Share your Design Risk Assessment with the Principal Contractor, as this information will be relevant to the planning, management and monitoring of the construction phase and the co-ordination of health and safety matters during the construction phase.
- Ensure that a Health and Safety File is compiled, including all appropriate information for those who will use, maintain, repair, clean, refurbish and eventually demolish the building.
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