Under the CDM shake-up, there will no longer be an official role of CDM coordinator. Instead, clients will need to appoint a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor to fulfil their duties.

Following industry consultation the guidance now gives firms six months to appoint a principal designer on jobs already underway on the 6 April 2015.

The new Regulations recognise the influence and importance of the client as the head of the supply chain and that they are best placed to set standards throughout a project.

The new regs also remove the domestic client exemption and transfer of these limited duties to the contractor/designer.

Philip White, Chief Inspector of Construction said:  “The guidance may be subject to change while the regulations are awaiting parliamentary approval but we want duty holders to have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the main requirements before they come into force.

“In addition we have worked with the industry to produce guidance to assist small businesses.

“Both sets of guidance complement each other and will help anyone affected by CDM 2015 to prepare for the changes in the law. ”

The UK Contractors Group welcomed the publication of the draft guidance this week.

David Lambert, UKCG Head of Health & Safety, said: “Members will be keen to investigate how any new bureaucracies can be avoided, how the changing of relationships and responsibilities will be worked out, and how the transitional arrangements will work.”

ICE Health and Safety Panel Chair, Margaret Sackey, said: “This package represents the third attempt to ensure that health and safety risk management is well embedded in a project throughout the design and construction process, and it is essential that it is fit for purpose in all regards.

“We will now review the draft package closely and respond accordingly with the aim of ensuring the final regulations and guidance are as effective and workable as possible, reflecting the concerns of the industry.”

Click for latest guidance on CDM 2015.