This has probably been asked before but here goes anyway?

I know who has the responsibility for producing the H&S File and who has responsibility for providing the information but can I ask those CDM-C's and PC's out there what methods do you use to get the required information to the CDM-C ?

Thanks Ray.

I think I should clarify my question ?

In my experience of CDM-C and PS before that the collection of the required information for H&S File has always been a problem.

I'm interested in how do current CDM-Cs set about obtaining the information from PCs also how PCs set about collecting the information?

For example do any Clients delay final payments to PCs until the H&S File has been handed over?

Unless that penalty is prohibitive, there are contractors who will choose to take that hit, and walk away.
As built drawings - the old Chestnut. Often buried within clauses and terms, requesting CAD drawings, given to SMEs with no capacity to provide anything more than mark-ups used on site.
From a more general perspective, most often much of what we're looking for isn't "Health and Safety File" information, rather it's for the O&M or Buildings Manual.

The true Health and Safety File information can usually be determined at the design stages. It shouldn't be rocket science to determine what's required, when it will become available and who will be providing it. If this sort of information is given in the pre-construction information then you've a decent chance of the PC reacting to that and taking steps to provide it. Far too often the PCI ccontains a generic regurgitation of the Client's vague requirements for the style and presentation - not the content.

(Electronic systems, CD-ROMs etc. are all very well- but how is that communicated to the next maintenance or cleaning contractor?
Beyond the OP context, we also need to consider that this might not be the 'first' Notifiable Project - there may be an existing File, and the Client's instructions and the PCI have to describe how that existing document is updated.
Further (As recognised within the CDM ACoP) there are myriad non-notifiable works carried out on properties which are just as likely to impact on O&M and Safety File information - modifications or additions to services being the obvious one.

Almost 20 years on from the inception of CDM and the concept of H&S Files, and I'm not aware that anyone has really cracked this. I do know that Highland Council were recently issued an Improvement Notice on this specific.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/no...p?SF=CN&SV=303353095

As an element of controversy, for larger Projects: If the Client really wants that information gathered, he'd be better engaging a Clerk of Works.

I hear what you say Ray but doesn't that require educating people is positions where they employ contractors to ensure they pass on the relevant information?

I save the H&S File on disc and issue it to the client. It is then up to the client to manage the information.