Posted By Merv Newman The person who is "maître d'ouvrage" (head of works) is responsible for H&S during French construction projects. "Dictionnaire juridique et contractuel des affaires et projets Maître d'ouvrage Le donneur d’ordre au profit de qui l’ouvrage est réalisé. . Dans toutes ces situations, du fait de sa position, le maître d’ouvrage a deux obligations principales : - définir clairement ce qu’il veut et - se prononcer sur la réception de ce qui lui est livré." Translation : "The person who gives the order to the profit of whoever the work is undertaken for. In all situations, from the fact of his position, the MdO has two principal obligations : - clearly define what he wants and - Pronounce on the suitability of what is delivered" End of quote/translation. The MdO may be the client who exercises this function on his own behalf or it may be another person. (not necessarily the architect)The MoD must be designated at the building permit and "declaration before work starts" stages. The simplest case would be a "closed site" with only one company is involved in the work (which excludes any subcontracting)The MoD can be the site manager, manager/owner of the building firm or another person. Where more than one company is involved then the MoD must designate a suitably qualified "coordinator" More complicated is an "open site" (not actually defined as such but easier for my English speaking readership)an example of which would be a factory having work done on site by another company. Here a safety plan would have to be established between the "user" and the "provider" An MoD and, if necessary a coordinator would still be required) Even though such an internal site could be effectively "closed" (IE no access to other than contractor/subcontractor personnel) respect of the safety plan by the provider is expected to be monitored by the user. In case of injury the courts would look at all parties, provider and user. Refs : Code du Travail L-235 and R-238 Merv (but don't quote me)