What do the CDM Regulations 2015 require on a construction project?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 set who manages health and safety on a construction project in Great Britain. Where more than one contractor will work on it, the client appoints a principal designer and a principal contractor in writing. A notifiable project is notified to the HSE, and every project needs a construction phase plan.
Who does what, in order
- The client appoints the duty holders. Where more than one contractor will work on the project, appoint in writing a principal designer and a principal contractor, as soon as is practicable and before the construction phase begins (reg 5(1)-(4)).
- The client notifies the HSE. Where the project is notifiable, give the HSE written notice with the Schedule 1 particulars as soon as is practicable before the construction phase begins (reg 6(1)-(5); Sch 1).
- The principal contractor writes the plan. Draw up a construction phase plan during the pre-construction phase and before setting up the construction site, and keep it reviewed and updated throughout the project (reg 4(5)(a), 12(1)-(4), 15(5), 15(6); Sch 3).
- The principal designer prepares the file. Prepare a health and safety file for the project during the pre-construction phase, keep it updated, and feed it with the principal contractor's relevant information (reg 4(5)(b), 12(5)-(7), 12(9)).
Applies in Great Britain only (reg 3). On a project for a domestic client, the client's duties pass to a contractor or the principal designer.
Every duty the library holds from the Regulations
In the order the library holds them. Each is on the The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (Great Britain) page too, with how it was read.
| Duty | Window and section | If missed |
|---|---|---|
| As client, make suitable arrangements for managing the project, including enough time and resources, and maintain and review them throughout | none setA standing duty with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 4(1)-(3), 4(6), 4(8) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Provide pre-construction information as soon as is practicable to every designer and contractor appointed, or being considered for appointment | none set'As soon as is practicable', with no day count, so no window is recorded; any information these Regulations require must be comprehensible (reg 8(6)).reg 4(4), 8(6), 11(6) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Where more than one contractor will work on the project, appoint in writing a principal designer and a principal contractor, as soon as is practicable and before the construction phase begins | none set'As soon as is practicable' and 'before the construction phase begins', with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 5(1)-(4) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Where the project is notifiable, give the HSE written notice with the Schedule 1 particulars as soon as is practicable before the construction phase begins | none setThese are the thresholds for the duty, not its window: 'as soon as is practicable before the construction phase begins' has no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 6(1)-(5); Sch 1 | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Display the notification clearly in the construction site office, where any worker can read it, and update it when needed | none setA standing duty for as long as the site office exists, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 6(3)(b), 6(3)(c) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Where the client is a domestic client, carry out the client's duties under regs 4(1) to (7) and 6 as the sole contractor, the principal contractor, or the principal designer by written agreement | none setreg 2(1), 7(1)-(3), 8(7) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Accept an appointment as designer or contractor only with the skills, knowledge, experience and organisational capability the role needs, and check the same of anyone you appoint | none setBefore the appointment, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 8(1)-(3), 15(7) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Draw up a construction phase plan during the pre-construction phase and before setting up the construction site, and keep it reviewed and updated throughout the project | none setBefore the site is set up, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 4(5)(a), 12(1)-(4), 15(5), 15(6); Sch 3 | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Prepare a health and safety file for the project during the pre-construction phase, keep it updated, and feed it with the principal contractor's relevant information | none setA duty during the project, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 4(5)(b), 12(5)-(7), 12(9) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Pass the health and safety file to the client at the end of the project, or to the principal contractor if the principal designer's appointment ends first | none set'At the end of the project', with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 4(7), 12(8), 12(10) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| As principal designer, plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the pre-construction phase, and liaise with the principal contractor for the whole appointment | none setA standing duty for the appointment, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 11(1)-(7) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| As principal contractor, plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the construction phase, provide a site induction, keep unauthorised people off site and provide welfare facilities | none setA standing duty for the construction phase, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 13(1)-(5); Sch 2 | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| As principal contractor, make and keep arrangements for workers to cooperate on health, safety and welfare, consult them in good time, and let them inspect and copy the health and safety information held | none set'In good time', with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 14 | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| As a contractor, start work only once satisfied the client knows its duties and the site is secured, follow the principal designer's and principal contractor's directions and the plan, and supervise, instruct and induct every worker | none setBefore starting work, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 15(1)-(3), 15(8)-(11) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Record in writing the arrangements for any demolition or dismantling of a structure before that work begins | none setBefore the work begins, with no day count, so no window is recorded.reg 16(2), 20(1), 20(2) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Where an inspection of a supported excavation, cofferdam or caisson finds it unsafe, tell the person it was done for before the end of the shift, and give them a written report within 24 hours | 24 hoursreg 22(4), 22(5), 23(2), 23(3), 24(1), 24(2), 24(4) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
| Keep each excavation, cofferdam or caisson inspection report available for an HSE inspector on site until the construction work is complete, and for 3 months after | 3 monthsreg 24(3) | an offenceLapsed compliance |
In this guide
- Principal designer and principal contractorWhen the client must appoint a principal designer and a principal contractor under CDM 2015, what each must do, and the duties of every other contractor.
- F10 notificationWhich construction projects are notifiable under CDM 2015, who notifies the HSE and when, the online F10 form, and displaying the notice in the site office.
- Construction phase planWho draws up the construction phase plan under CDM 2015 and when, what it covers, the pre-construction information behind it, and the site inspections.
- Health and safety fileWho prepares the health and safety file under CDM 2015, what goes in it, who feeds it during the project, and who receives it at the end.
- Domestic clientsWhen a project is for a domestic client, CDM 2015 passes the client's duties, notifying the HSE included, to the contractor or the principal designer.
What this page is, and is not
It is the section text this library holds for England, from The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (Great Britain), Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, Part II (Construction Contracts) and The Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998, as amended for England, with the window and the consequence. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for reading the Regulations, the Act, the Scheme and the contract you signed.
Demiton does not yet track English projects. These pages set out the duties; the product does not run these checks on an English job today.
No library of law is complete, and Demiton never says this one is. An obligation the library does not hold, and you did not add, is not protected. You can add your own to any job.