Principal Contractor
Why do I need a Principal Contractor?
In health and Safety Law there are specific, legal obligations which need to be met. The team at Vision One Safety Solutions can help and advice in enabling you to meet all these obligations. The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM 2015) are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction related projects. CDM applies to all building and construction work and includes new build, machinery/equipment installation, demolition, machinery/equipment relocation, refurbishment, extensions, conversions, repair and maintenance. The Principal Contractor will be responsible for managing all aspects of the health, safety and welfare of the project
What is a Principal Contractors role?
The CDM Regulations place responsibility for managing the health and safety of a construction project on three main duty holders. A Principal Contractor is one of the duty holders within CDM Regulations 2015 and have overall control of the construction phase of a project involving more than one contractor. They are appointed in writing by the client (commercial or domestic) to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the construction phase.
When do I need to appoint a Principal Contractor?
Where there is more than one contractor working on your project, or if it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be working on a project at any time, the client must appoint in writing the Principal Contractor.
What will the Principal Contractor do?
The Principal Contractor’s duty at all times when work is being completed during the Construction Phase is to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety. Their duties will include but are not limited to:
- liaise with the client and Principal Designer
- prepare the Construction Phase plan
- organise cooperation between contractors and coordinate their work
- arrange suitable site inductions
- carry out audit and site inspections
- review Risk Assessments and Method Statements
- ensure residual risk is identified and controlled
- ensure reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access
- workers are consulted and engaged in health and safety matters
- ensure welfare facilities are provided
- prepare detailed and proportionate information for the end of projects Health and Safety file
Contact Vision One Safety Solutions to discuss your vision for success and we will make it our number one priority.