CDM: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations were introduced to add another layer of safety into the building industry. Due to the very wide range of trades involved, supply chain requirements and the varying size and capacity of businesses concerned, these Regulations can look complicated, even overwhelming. This section is designed to provide clarity, whatever the size of your organisation.
Frequently asked questions
If you always work for a larger company – the Principal Contractor – you should follow the rules for “contractors”. You should manage your own subcontractors in the usual way: having annual signed agreements in place. BUT always ensure you have clear guidance from, and ongoing communication with, the Principal Contractor.
The Regulations look complicated at first glance because they have to cater for a range of “duty holders”: client, principal contractor, principal designer, contractor, designer. You have to work out which role applies to your circumstances. Remember, that role can change depending upon the contract you are working on. It is possible to be a principal contractor for one job and then a contractor on another. Once you know which duty holding role applies to you, it is straightforward to identify which bits of the Regulations apply and which documents you are responsible for.