It’s not uncommon for construction work falling under CDM to be undertaken on live areas where normal works are taking place, especially in public sector organisations. The Co-ordinator (CDM-C) is not in control of the contract; their duty primarily extends to providing information and communication. If the co-ordinator is in-house and I’m not sure that this is the case in this instance – the same still applies. The issue of live/occupied buildings should be identified as part of the planning process and shared with all parties. So get others involved (from the occupied buildings), this is being pro-active. It may be prudent to have some sort of commencement meeting with all parties, including the Pc to look at everyone’s needs and address any specific extra rules that normal employees may have to abide by whilst construction work is being undertaken. Feel free to PM me if you need more specifics.

Communication and cooperation are the keys to success!

This is a situation I regularly work in (with my employer normally as PC, with or without me as CDM-C) and generally it is all about building a good working relationship with the Client's H&S Advisor. Yes guidance does suggest that the CDM-C should be seen as the Client's key CDM advisor but I have worked alongside Clients whose H&S Advisor is knowledgable of CDM from previous practice but not resourced to act as their own CDM-C. As freelance says like all of CDM this is down to "The Three Cs". Where you have H&S committee meetings you may also want to consider inviting the PC's H&S advisor and/or the CDM-C along to explain to the representatives what will be going on at site. This is something I have done and it has changed the view of what we (as PC) have been doing from scepticism to approval that we are working to improve (normally) their workplace. Same as freelance please feel free to PM me if you need more detail.