CDM 2015 Awareness Training for Client Organisations

Aims & Objectives

Why this training is needed

Many organisations become the Client under CDM 2015 without realising it. This can happen during everyday works such as office refurbishments, roof repairs, installation of new equipment, production line changes or maintenance shutdowns.

This course helps delegates recognise when CDM duties are triggered and what evidence should be in place to show that projects have been properly planned, managed and monitored.

Course aim

To give Client organisations a practical understanding of CDM 2015, including when it applies, what the Client must do, and how to avoid common compliance mistakes.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course delegates will be able to:

• Explain when CDM 2015 applies and what counts as construction work.
• Identify who the Client is and understand the Client’s legal duties.
• Recognise when Principal Designer and Principal Contractor appointments are required.
• Understand the difference between notifiable and non-notifiable projects.
• Know what information should be requested before work starts.
• Understand what documentation and evidence should be retained.
• Apply proportionate CDM controls to common workplace projects.

Suitability

Directors, senior managers, facilities managers, estates managers, engineering managers, maintenance managers, project managers, procurement managers, HSE advisers, permit issuers, contractor controllers

Requirements

No prior knowledge of CDM is required. Delegates should ideally have some involvement in commissioning, managing or overseeing projects, contractors or maintenance activity.

Syllabus

CDM 2015 Awareness for Client Organisations (half day)

Part 1. What is CDM and when does it apply?

• Purpose and scope of CDM 2015
• What legally counts as ‘construction work’
• Why maintenance, refurbishment, installation and demolition often fall within scope
• Examples that catch organisations out:
  • Replacing a mezzanine floor
  • Installing new pipework or production lines
  • Roof repairs
  • Replacing office partitions or ceilings
  • Major plant maintenance shutdowns

Part 2. The Client’s duties

• Who is the Client?
• Commercial Client versus Domestic Client
• Duty to make suitable arrangements
• Providing sufficient time and resources
• Ensuring suitable management arrangements are in place
• Ensuring welfare is provided
• Providing Pre-Construction Information
• Retaining and handing over the Health and Safety File

Part 3. When do you need a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor?

• The ‘more than one contractor’ rule
• Why self-employed specialists count as contractors
• Requirement for written appointment
• Consequences of failing to appoint
• What happens if the Client does not appoint them

Part 4. Notification and common misunderstandings

• F10 notification thresholds
• Why most duties still apply even when the project is not notifiable
• The common myth that ‘small jobs are exempt’
• Typical misunderstandings in offices, factories and commercial premises

Part 5. What good looks like

• Simple Client-side project checklist
• What information to ask for before work starts
• Minimum evidence to retain:
  • Scope of work
  • Contractor competence checks
  • Written PD and PC appointments
  • Pre-Construction Information
  • Construction Phase Plan
  • Monitoring records
  • Health and Safety File
• Practical examples of proportionate compliance

Part 6. Workshop exercise

Delegates review three short project examples and decide:

• Does CDM apply?
• Who is the Client?
• Is a PD and PC required?
• Is the project notifiable?
• What should the Client do next?

Suggested scenarios:

• Office refurbishment using three contractors
• Roof replacement at a warehouse
• Installation of a new process line during a factory shutdown

Notes

Fully comprehensive notes will be given to all delegates who attend the course. Materials provided include:

• Client dutyholder quick guide
• Client project checklist
• Simple CDM decision flowchart for non-construction organisations
• CDM applicability screening form
• Three Question CDM Test aide memoire
• Example written PD and PC appointment letters
• Example Pre-Construction Information template (full and short-form)
• Example short-form Construction Phase Plan template
• Example project file checklist

Certification

On satisfactory completion of the course a certificate of attendance will be issued