I know one answer to this but would like other people's opinions please. Who should be compiling the H&S File and what format should the information be in when handed over to the Client?

Th e format is usually decided by the company putting the information together and would be found in the quality management plan for the project. Clients sometimes stipulate the format and have this put in the t and c's As a rule of thumb anything that affects safety during the future construction, maintenance, demolition, de-planting or anything found when undertaking the construction residual risk register should be put in the H and S file. An idea or two below but not exhaustive It could When putting together the health and safety file, you should consider including information about each of the following where they are relevant to the health and safety of any future construction work. The level of detail should allow the likely risks to be identified and addressed by those carrying out the work: (a) a brief description of the work carried out; (b) any residual hazards which remain and how they have been dealt with (for example surveys or other information concerning asbestos; contaminated land; water bearing strata; buried services etc); (c) key structural principles (for example, bracing, sources of substantial stored energy - including pre- or post-tensioned members) and safe working loads for floors and roofs, particularly where these may preclude placing scaffolding or heavy machinery there; (d) hazardous materials used (for example lead paint; pesticides; special coatings which should not be burnt off etc); (e) information regarding the removal or dismantling of installed plant and equipment (for example any special arrangements for lifting, order or other special instructions for dismantling etc); (f) health and safety information about equipment provided for cleaning or maintaining the structure; (g) the nature, location and markings of significant services, including underground cables; gas supply equipment; fire-fighting services etc; (h) information and as-built drawings of the structure, its plant and equipment (for example, the means of safe access to and from service voids, fire doors and compartmentalisation etc).

Hi Ron Agree By bearing fruit....i hope you mean good bye and farewell forever to the CDM-C and the placing of the design management aspect to where it belongs [the clue is in the title (Principal Designer)]. The CDM-C seemed to morph into a creature that operated in the "construction phase" were the origional directive never intended them to be.....and to be quite frank generally added little if no value. Also the "decent template" can go on forever dependent on whatever the construction project is at the end of the build phase....a hospital...a power station...an oil refinery...a high rise business centre ....they all have different residual risk and a need to design in safety.