Posted By RHOES Hi, Just wondering if any CDM Co-ordinators can comment on actions they take to prompt Principal Contractors to provide relevant information for inclusion in the Health & Safety File. In this case the fees have been paid by the Client and the Principal Contractor has been contacted several times via several different mediums and been made aware of their duties under CDM 2007, but has yet failed to produce any information. They have developed a rather poor relationship with the client and the nature of the client's undertaking is one which presents little incentive of repeat business for the contractor. Any comments appreciated. Regards Richard

Posted By Crim Has the PC been paid in full or is there an element of Retention held back? If so this could be your lever? Yes it is a bit late now and it is a nightmare trying to collect all necessary information but this can be helped by regular meetings with Client, PC and CDM-C with the H & S File on every agenda. Information should be collected as the work progresses, as each element of construction is completed, if there are delays then get on it ASAP.

Posted By Lee Mac Similar to previous posters the Practical Completion is not granted until the relevant information has been supplied by the PC and H&S File is produced. However RHOES, in this instance the horse has definitely bolted. As the PC is paid you have a tough hill to climb, time to test your human behaviour & people management techniques. Ultimately you want to get the info together, the PC doesn't care, I would advise firstly request a meeting with the Client to identify if there is any of the Design team has not been paid, then request a meeting with the design Team (to see if they can use the persuasive techniques- you may find that some earmark work for the PC- future work can be used as a persuasive factor)and finally meet with the PC and explain your position and normal protocol which is followed- keep it all in lay man's/informal terms avoid quoting legislation. I have had a few similar experiences where we were appointed too late (imagine that a breach in CDM), the PCs did make attempts and forwarded roughly 20%(if that) of the information I needed. I obtained the rest from making direct contact with the Project Directory. It was very time consuming but the end result is worth it- we did get the H&S File produced, plus we got a heck of a lot of further work from the Designers and the PC, who did see the merits of adhering to the best practice of CDM. I wish you luck with this RHOES. Regards Lee

Posted By Simon Chidwick I think that you may come to a point where you have exhausted the friendly approach and may need to contact the HSE. Retention is definitely the way to go for the future, lessons learnt the hard way sometimes. As for the letter above, Alan how many projects have you worked on where the CDM-C has the health and safety file handed over within a week of completion? Simon

Posted By Rodger Alan Ker Fair point Simon. The work I was involved in was fairly small and one to two weeks delivery was possible. The letter is meant as a template, to be adapted to suit personal requirements, but as stated the general content can be used as useful leverage.

Posted By tim.preston If all else fails I would write a letter to the PC and state that if a positive response is not received by a given deadline you will have no alternative but to contact the local enforcement officer in the Executive. I'm not suggesting this is the best approach but sometimes you have to get the point across in a firm and fair manner.