Who is a Client?

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 defines 'client' as a person for whom a project is carried out. The regulations place certain duties on Clients. These duties are intended to ensure that the project is designed and constructed by competent persons.

What are the duties of a Client?

Client duties include:

• Employ competent designers and contractors to carry out the work
• Appointment in writing, before design work starts, of a competent and adequately resourced project supervisor for the design process (PSDP), as required.
• Appointment in writing, before construction work starts, of a competent and adequately resourced project supervisor for the construction process (PSCS), as required.
• Co-operate with the project supervisor and supply necessary information;
• Keep and make available the safety file (provided by the PSDP) for the completed structure.  The safety file contains information on the completed structure that will be required for future maintenance or renovation .
• Provide a copy of the safety and health plan prepared by the PSDP to every person tendering for the project.  In the case of projects on a domestic dwelling it is sufficient for the Client to provide the plan to the PSCS when they have been appointed.
• Notify the Authority where construction is likely to take more than 500 persons days or 30 working days.

Further Information

 Guidance for homeowners planning to build or renovate their home

The introduction of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 places responsibilities on homeowners, called Clients in the Regulations, who are having construction work carried out on their home.The aim of this guide is to provide practical information for homeowners as to what they need to know and do.

Guidance on the role and duties of the Client are included in this document.