Yes. Whether you are an individual or an organisation (client, designer, principal designer, contractor or principal contractor), you can carry out the role of more than one duty holder. You must have the skills, knowledge, experience and (if an organisation) the organisational capability to carry out all of the functions and responsibilities of each role in a way that secures health and safety.
Understanding CDM Duty Holders
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) defines five key duty holders for any construction project:
- Clients: Individuals or organizations for whom the construction project is carried out.
- Designers: Those who prepare or modify designs for a building, product or system relating to construction work.
- Principal Designers: Designers appointed by the client in projects involving more than one contractor. They have control over the pre-construction phase of the project.
- Contractors: Those who carry out the actual construction work.
- Principal Contractors: Contractors appointed by the client to coordinate the construction phase in projects involving more than one contractor.
Each of these roles comes with specific responsibilities aimed at managing health and safety risks associated with the project.
Carrying Out Multiple Roles
It’s not uncommon for an individual or organization to take on more than one role in a project. For example, a designer could also be the principal designer, or a contractor could also act as the principal contractor. However, it’s crucial that whoever takes on these roles has the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and (if an organisation) the organisational capability to carry out their duties effectively.
This means understanding the health and safety risks associated with the project, being able to manage and coordinate the work of others, and having a clear plan and effective monitoring systems in place.
Ensuring Health and Safety
Regardless of the number of roles you take on, the ultimate goal is to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the project. This includes workers, contractors, visitors to the site, and even members of the public who could be affected by the work.
To achieve this, duty holders must cooperate and coordinate their work with others, share relevant information, and consult with workers about their health, safety, and welfare.
