ACA safety guide to the roles and responsibilities of domestic clients

[edit] Safety in construction

Construction work can be dangerous, but with increased awareness, it has become much safer. Everyone involved has a role to play, including you as the client. Since 1995, the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) have imposed obligations on clients on most construction projects with regards to health and safety. The Building Safety Act 2022 expanded these responsibilities to include Building Regulations requiring additional appointments and documentation at all stages. This guide aims to clarify your duties as a client and the roles that others play under the regulations.

[edit] Does this apply to my project?

The regulations apply to all construction projects with more than one contractor. In practice most projects involve a sub-contractor and therefore the regulations are likely to apply in all but very simple single trade projects. Domestic clients are exempt from some duties. However, this exemption only applies to non-business-related works. New houses and alterations to existing ones are considered domestic, but even modest work on commercial buildings or converting a house into flats is not exempt. These notes apply to domestic projects under 18 meters tall. Additional regulations apply to buildings over 18m and you should seek further guidance on your duties as a client if your project is above this height.

[edit] What is your role as a client?

For domestic clients, the responsibilities are:

1. Appointing Competent People: Ensure you appoint suitably qualified individuals to design, build, and sign off on the project. You must appoint a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor in writing.
2. Providing Relevant Information: Share any relevant information you have about the building or its site.
3. Maintaining Records: Keep records of what was built, including maintenance and operating instructions (the Health & Safety File), and share this with anyone working on your building in the future.

[edit] What is a Principal Designer?

The Principal Designer coordinates the design team to ensure the project is safe to construct and maintain. The Building Safety Act also requires the Principal Designer to ensure the building as designed complies with the Building Regulations.

[edit] What is a Principal Contractor?

The Principal Contractor coordinates the construction phase of the project with regards to health and safety and Building Regulations compliance. Like the Principal Designer, they need to be appointed by you, and you must ensure they are competent. For domestic jobs, if you don’t nominate a Principal Contractor, the role defaults to the contractor, who may not be aware of this responsibility.

[edit] What services will the Principal Designer provide?

The services the Principal Designer will provide are:

• Planning, Managing, and Monitoring: Plan, manage and monitor the design work during the design phase with respect to compliance with relevant Building and CDM Regulations.
• Coordination: Coordinate matters related to the design work within the project with respect to compliance with relevant Building and CDM Regulations.
• Documentation: Prepare the CDM Pre-Construction Information File and Hazard Register.
• Liaison: Liaise with the Principal Contractor and share relevant information for the planning, management, and monitoring of the building work for the purpose of compliance with Building and CDM Regulations. This includes coordinating building and design work to meet Building Regulations.
• Client Assistance: Assist the client in providing necessary information to other designers and contractors.
• Health & Safety File: Prepare the CDM Health & Safety File.

[edit] Where can I find out more?

Guidance for Duty Holders including clients can be found here. The full regulations for Duty Holders including Clients, Principal Designers and Principal Contractors can be found here.

--Association of Consultant Architects

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• ACA articles.
• A recap of the ACA President's Autumn update
• ACASFA 2012 ‎
• CDM 2015.
• CDM client.
• CDM for self-builders and domestic clients.
• Client.
• Client responsibilities.
• Construction phase plan.
• Domestic client for building design and construction.
• Health and safety.
• Health and Safety Executive.
• Health and safety file.
• Notify HSE.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Principal contractor.
• PPC 2000.
• Self build.
• TAC-1 alliance contract .
• The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects.
• FAC-1