Principal Contractors

The main duties of the principal contractor are to:

• plan, manage and monitor the construction phase to make sure, so far as is reasonably practicable, it is carried out without risks to health or safety
• ensure adequate welfare facilities for those working on the site
• draw up and implement the site rules as necessary
• draw up and implement the construction phase health and safety plan
• provide a suitable site induction and make sure those working on site have received the training they need to carry out the work safely and without risks to health
• make sure the site is suitably fenced and prevent unauthorised people from entering the site
• ensure co-operation between those working on the site, and that work is co-ordinated in such a way as to prevent danger
• ensure suitable arrangements for effective consultation with the workforce
• ensure the right health and safety information is provided to the right people at the right time

The contractor will be required to:

• inform the client of their CDM 2007 duties if this has not already been done
• plan, manage and monitor the construction work to make sure it is carried out without risks to health and safety
• provide information, training and a suitable site induction for their workforce
• make sure the site is suitably fenced and prevent access by unauthorised persons
• ensure adequate welfare facilities for those working on the site

No. This is because a domestic client is not a ‘client’ as defined by the Regulations, and Part 3 of the Regulations does not apply to projects where there is a domestic client.

You need to prepare the plan before the start of construction work for all jobs that are notifiable. The plan should be specific to the particular site or project, and set out how you will manage the construction phase and the key health and safety issues for the particular project. Keep the plan relevant – it should be a practical aid to help you. There is more information about this in Appendix 3 of the ACoP L144. Although you don’t need to have a written health and safety plan for non-notifiable projects, you will still need to plan and manage these aspects of the construction phase appropriately.

See the free download of the ACoP, HSE publication L144 (Principal contractors – notifiable projects only) and related industry guidance.