Hi all, As a business we are currently acting as Principal Contractor on a construction project within a live environment (public and client staff present) but have found ourselves in an unusual situation which i'd be interested to hear people's opinions on.... Our normal working week on site is Mon-Fri 9-5. However, for reasons i won't bore you with some of our works now need to be undertaken during this coming weekend rather than during the week as previously planned. As a result of this, we have had to ask for extra money to pay for a site manager to be in attendance for the weekend . The problem is the client is refusing to pay for us to have a site manager in attendance and the CDMC has responded by sending us....wait for it... a form to sign which apparently allows us to relinquish our role/responsibilities as Principal Contractor for these particular works and then to become PC again once they've been completed!?! Now if this was the client wanting their own handyman to carry out work in an area/room etc after we've formally completed and handed it back then that's fine in my eyes. The construction work (under the F10) in that area would complete and the area would now be theirs again to do with as they wish. However in this case, these are previously planned construction works being undertaken by contractors already involved in the project. I can't see how we could defend ourselves as a business (and the named PC on the F10) should something bad happen. Thoughts....?

Do U have to have a site manager present - cannot the foreman or chargehand manage the men or even appoint a man to act as lead-hand for the job?

I have come across a similar concept which was referred to by the CDMC as 'time and distance', in other words, part cessation by the PC to allow another PC to step in for the convenience of the Client. My answer was I do not recall the CDM Regs referring to 'time and distance'. You are either PC or you are not, and certainly not for a weekend on a major project.

If my understanding is right, the work you will be carrying out at the weekend is the same as you would have been doing during your normal working times (Mon-Fri). If this is the case, nothing has changed therefore you will still be the PC for the project whatever time you carry out the work and, therefore, carry the responsibilities that go with the role. I would, therefore question the CDMC and ask why he thinks you can jump in and out of the role of PC as in my mind you can't As stated by others, the payment problem is contractual and is not an H&S issue.

OK my two pennorth for what its worth... First thought is that you cannot separate "contractual" problems from "health and safety" problems - as some seem to be doing here. If the contract focuses on cost time and quality but doesn't properly cover H&S - then its a bad contract, and WILL have a bad effect on the way H&S is perceived and managed within the project. If the H&S or CDM-C team decide its got bog all to do with safety - its contractual - then in my opinion - they have missed the point! Second thought - CDM Regs offer a lot of flexibility, and there is plenty of room for manoeuver if you know what the law actually says - all the ifs buts and maybes. CDM was apparently written for simple, single trade projects - it is almost impossible to apply in a simple, straightforward way for large, complex, multi trade projects. The flexibility available must be used. Use of transfer (or handover) processes (and certificates) should be seen as almost essential in some projects - the only caveat being that you should not allow two PCs to have 'control' of the same site at the same time (hence the 'time and distance' referred to above). If there is a robust handover process - if everyone knows and understands where and when they are in control and where or when the boundaries are - then I really don't see a problem... If the client wants or needs a contractor to do something on his premises - then the fact there is a construction project ongoing may not have any impact whatsoever on the need for that work. Why wasn't this identified in the contract? Could the client appoint his contractor as a 'nominated' subbie to the PC? And if he can - should he? What are the cost and competence issues with this approach? What does the contract say about nominated subcontractors? (if anything) Trying to adopt an inflexible, unco-operative approach to any project situation is definitely contra-indicated. Mutual understanding and co-operation can only be achieved when all parties openly discuss and understand each other's requirements. And this is best achieved by ensuring at the outset that liaison arrangements are clearly spelled out in the contract!