The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 served to consolidate existing legislation and shift the focus in the direction of planning and management of construction projects.
Under the Regulations, all those involved in the project life-cycle (Clients, Designers, CDM Co-ordinators, Principal Contractors and Contractors) are subject to clearly defi ned responsibilities.
The Regulations recognise that the Client holds the power to infl uence and control those engaged or appointed on a project and, therefore, the ultimate responsibility for the achievement of a safe project is in the hands of the Client.
It is important, therefore, that Clients appoint a competent CDM Co-ordinator as early as possible in a project to advice and assist them.