CDM Clients Duties
Under CDM 2007 the client had far fewer responsibilities than he does now under the 2015 update. Firstly a definition of the client is in order. HSE divides clients into two categories: Commercial and Domestic.
Commercial clients are defined as: "Organisations or individuals for whom a construction project is implemented as part of a business(hse.gov.uk)."
Domestic clients are: "People who have construction work implemented on their own home (or the home of a family member) that is not performed as part of a business(hse.gov.uk)."
In other words, if a project is being completed for you as part of your business endeavors, you are a commercial client, if said construction project has nothing to do with business, you're a domestic client. The distinction is important, as, understandably, more is required from commercial clients than those under the domestic category.
So, if you are commercial client, here's the basic rundown of your CDM client duties. You are in charge of appointing the the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor. You orchestrate the time-tables for the project, which means estimating exactly how much time all aspects of the project will take to complete and preparing for this. You see to it that the other duty holders are performing their respective responsibilities, take charge of welfare needs and manage the management. In short, you, as the commercial client are in charge of making sure that everything happens exactly the way it's supposed to and everybody does precisely what he ought. Also, as mentioned above, if you are a commercial client with a project lasting more than thirty days, and simultaneously employing twenty or more workers, you are required to notify hse either in writing or via the online form with regards to the project details.
Now, what if you're working on remodeling your home or building a new shed for your family member? That's different, you fall under the category of a Domestic Client, and, while client duties still apply, you do not have to be the one in charge of them. In such cases, your duties will be passed to the Contractor, if there's only one contractor on the project, and, if more than one, it is the Principal Contractor to whom you will pass all these responsibilities. If you have hired some other designer for a project requiring more than one contract, you can also pass your duties off to him. Provided, of course, you have a written statement that he has agreed to take on your client responsibilities. If not, your duties automatically pass to to the Principal Contractor.
F10 Notification
Under 2007 regulations, the Client was in charge of appointing a CDM coordinator who took charge of matters such as F10 submission, however, under CDM 2015 this is left completely at the doorstep of the client. Of course, if you are a domestic client these duties are passed off to the Contractor/Principal Contractor, and you need not worry about it.
The F10 is the name that the hse has given to this form which basically informs the hse that you are building something, including general information with regards to the project's size and scope, and is only required if the project exceeds 500 person days or 30 working days and employs twenty or more individuals.