CDM 2015: HSE Construction Design Rules

Regulatory citation: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/51)

What Are the CDM Regulations 2015?

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) are the main regulations for managing health, safety and welfare on construction projects in Great Britain. They apply to all building and construction work, from small domestic jobs to major projects, and place duties on everyone involved.

Why CDM Matters

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the UK. CDM focuses on planning and coordination, so that risks are considered from design through construction and future maintenance.

Core Requirements

1. Client Duties

Clients must make suitable arrangements for managing a project, including allowing sufficient time and resources, providing pre-construction information, and appointing a principal designer and principal contractor where there is more than one contractor. Domestic clients' duties normally pass to the contractor or principal designer.

2. Designers and the Principal Designer

Designers must eliminate, reduce or control foreseeable risks through design. The principal designer plans, manages and coordinates health and safety in the pre-construction phase.

3. Contractors and the Principal Contractor

Contractors must plan, manage and monitor their own work. The principal contractor plans, manages and coordinates the construction phase where there is more than one contractor.

4. Construction Phase Plan

A construction phase plan must be drawn up for every project before the construction phase begins, proportionate to the risks involved.

5. Notification to HSE

The client must notify HSE, usually using form F10, if construction work is expected to last more than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point, or exceed 500 person days.

6. Health and Safety File

On projects with more than one contractor, the principal designer must prepare a health and safety file containing information needed for future work on the structure.

7. Welfare Facilities

Suitable welfare facilities, such as toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and rest areas, must be provided from the start of the construction phase.

Common Compliance Approaches

Appoint Duty Holders Early

Appointing the principal designer and principal contractor early helps safety shape the design.

Keep Plans Proportionate

A small project needs a short, practical construction phase plan, not a generic manual.

Share Information

Make sure pre-construction information, such as asbestos surveys and service drawings, reaches designers and contractors.

Example: CDM in Practice

A retailer commissions a store refit expected to last 12 weeks with up to 30 workers on site at once. As the client, it appoints a principal designer and principal contractor, provides an asbestos survey and building drawings, notifies HSE using an F10, and allows adequate time in the program. The principal contractor prepares a construction phase plan and sets up welfare facilities before work starts.

Related regulations: HSE Work at Height, WHS SWMS requirements, OSHA Scaffold Standard.

Note: This summary reflects the regulations as they apply in Great Britain, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities. Northern Ireland has equivalent but separate legislation. Always check the current legislation and HSE guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a construction project need to be notified to HSE?

A project must be notified to HSE if the construction work is expected to last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point, or exceed 500 person days of construction work.

Does CDM 2015 apply to domestic projects?

Yes, CDM 2015 applies to domestic projects, but domestic clients' duties are usually transferred to the contractor, or to the principal designer where there is more than one contractor.

Who needs a construction phase plan?

Every construction project needs a construction phase plan before the construction phase begins. On single-contractor projects, the contractor prepares it; on projects with more than one contractor, the principal contractor prepares it.