UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)

Per UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015): Construction Phase Plan and Site Safety. Source-grounded summary control covering authoritative framework structure + key obligations. See manifest + log for detailed mapping.

• Authoritative source-grounded evidence for UKCDM-3

• see authoritative source for detailed gap analysis

Before construction starts, the Principal Contractor (or sole contractor on single-contractor projects) must prepare a construction phase plan describing how health and safety will be managed.

• Construction phase plan signed off prior to mobilisation
• Plan version history showing updates as work evolves
• Site rules and induction pack
• Welfare facilities plan
• Emergency arrangements section
• Distribution list confirming plan shared with subcontractors

• Plan generic and not project-specific
• Plan not updated through project
• Subcontractors not given the plan

The Principal Designer must prepare a health and safety file containing information for the safe future use, maintenance and demolition of the structure, handing it to the client at project completion.

• Health and safety file index aligned to L153 Appendix 4
• As-built drawings and BIM model with H&S attributes
• Asbestos register where applicable
• Operation and maintenance manuals
• Hazardous materials inventory
• Client receipt of handover file

• File issued without asbestos register
• As-built drawings missing
• Client receipt unsigned

Design changes made after the construction phase begins must be assessed for health and safety impact, with the Principal Designer or designer updating residual risk information and informing duty holders.

• Design change request log
• Health and safety impact assessment per change
• Residual risk register updates
• Construction phase plan update record
• Designer sign-off on each change
• Communication record to site teams

• Change log not linked to H&S impact
• Residual risk register out of date
• Site teams not informed

Reportable injuries, dangerous occurrences and ill health must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR and managed alongside CDM duty holder obligations.

• RIDDOR submission records
• Site incident investigation reports
• Near miss and observation log
• HSE inspection visit records
• Improvement and prohibition notice register
• Root cause analysis training records

• RIDDOR thresholds not understood
• Near misses unrecorded
• Root cause analysis skipped

Where the client is a domestic client, client duties pass by default to the contractor on single-contractor projects or to the Principal Contractor on multi-contractor projects, unless a written agreement transfers them to the Principal Designer.

• Domestic client status assessment
• Written agreement assigning client duties to Principal Designer
• Standard domestic CDM information leaflet issued to client
• Single contractor scope and CPP
• F10 if applicable to domestic project
• Project file evidencing duty transfer

• Duty transfer not documented
• Client unaware of residual duties
• No information leaflet issued

The Principal Designer must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase and prepare the pre-construction information.

• Pre-construction information pack
• Design coordination meeting minutes
• Hazard identification workshops records
• Pre-construction phase plan
• Designer compliance audit records
• Handover record to Principal Contractor

• PCI not issued before tender
• No documented design coordination
• Handover to Principal Contractor verbal only

The Principal Contractor must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the construction phase, including liaison with the client and site management.

• Site management organogram
• Weekly site coordination meeting minutes
• Permit-to-work registers
• Daily site inspection records
• Toolbox talks register
• Liaison records with the client

• Permit-to-work system absent
• Site inductions not refreshed
• Coordination meetings not minuted

Clients must make suitable arrangements for managing a project, ensuring sufficient time and resource for health and safety, and confirming duty holders are appointed in writing.

• Written appointment letters for Principal Designer and Principal Contractor
• Project management arrangements statement
• Time and resource allocation evidence in project programme
• Client CDM responsibilities briefing record
• Pre-construction information pack issued to designers and contractors
• Client review meeting minutes referencing CDM duties

• Verbal appointments only
• Pre-construction information incomplete
• Client unaware of personal duties

On projects with more than one contractor, the client must appoint in writing a Principal Designer for the pre-construction phase and a Principal Contractor for the construction phase.

• Signed Principal Designer appointment letter dated before design starts
• Signed Principal Contractor appointment letter dated before construction starts
• Competence assessment records for each duty holder
• Scope of services schedule for each appointment
• Variation records where appointments change mid-project
• Client checklist confirming appointment timing

• Principal Designer appointed after design started
• Principal Contractor appointed only at site mobilisation
• No competence assessment

Projects lasting longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or exceeding 500 person-days, must be notified to the HSE using the F10 form.

• Submitted F10 form with HSE acknowledgement
• F10 notification displayed at site entrance
• Threshold assessment showing why project is or is not notifiable
• F10 update submissions where duty holders change
• F10 record retained in project file
• Communication to duty holders confirming notification reference

• F10 not displayed on site
• Notification submitted late
• Updates not filed when duty holders change

All duty holders must have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and organisational capability to fulfil their roles, and must cooperate with others involved in the project.

• SKEC (skills, knowledge, experience, capability) assessment records
• CSCS or equivalent card register for site workers
• Designer chartered status evidence
• Subcontractor pre-qualification questionnaires
• Cooperation protocol between duty holders
• Project induction records covering interfaces between trades

• PQQ pack out of date
• No SKEC evidence for individual designers
• Cooperation undocumented

Designers must eliminate foreseeable risks where possible, reduce or control risks that remain, and provide information about residual risks to those who need it.

• Designer risk register with ERIC or general principles of prevention applied
• Design risk assessment outputs referenced in drawings
• Residual risk register issued with design package
• BIM model with health and safety attributes
• Designer CPD records covering CDM
• Design review minutes addressing residual risk

• Risk reduction not evidenced in design choice
• Residual risks omitted from drawings
• Designer CPD on CDM out of date

Per UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015): Worker Engagement, Training, Monitoring. Source-grounded summary control covering authoritative framework structure + key obligations. See manifest + log for detailed mapping.

• Authoritative source-grounded evidence for UKCDM-4

• see authoritative source for detailed gap analysis

The Principal Contractor must ensure every worker receives a suitable site induction and the information and training needed to carry out their work safely.

• Induction attendance register with signatures
• Induction content covering site-specific hazards
• Refresher induction trigger criteria
• Training matrix for site roles
• Visitor briefing records
• Site rules acknowledgement forms

• Induction not site-specific
• Visitors not briefed
• Training matrix incomplete

Contractors must consult workers on matters affecting their health and safety and provide arrangements for engagement throughout the project.

• Worker safety committee terms of reference
• Toolbox talk attendance and feedback log
• Worker representative election records
• Safety suggestion scheme entries
• Stop work authority policy
• Engagement survey results

• No worker representative
• Toolbox talks one-way only
• Stop work authority not communicated

Per UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015): Risk Assessment, Pre-Construction Information, F10. Source-grounded summary control covering authoritative framework structure + key obligations. See manifest + log for detailed mapping.

• Authoritative source-grounded evidence for UKCDM-2

• see authoritative source for detailed gap analysis

Construction dust including silica, wood and other hazardous substances must be assessed, controlled and monitored to protect long-term worker health.

• COSHH assessment register for dust and chemicals
• On-tool extraction records and LEV examination certificates
• Health surveillance programme records
• Face fit testing records for RPE
• Air monitoring results
• Silica exposure register

• On-tool extraction not used
• No face fit testing
• Health surveillance absent

Work at height must be properly planned, supervised and carried out using equipment that minimises the risk of falls and falling objects.

• Working at height risk assessments and method statements
• Scaffold design and handover certificates
• MEWP operator (IPAF) cards
• Harness inspection records
• Fall arrest rescue plan
• Edge protection inspection log

• No rescue plan from height
• Harnesses uninspected
• Scaffold handover missing

Suitable welfare facilities including sanitary conveniences, washing facilities, drinking water, rest areas and changing facilities must be provided from the start of the construction phase.

• Welfare facilities specification before mobilisation
• Photographic evidence of welfare provision on site
• Cleaning and servicing schedule
• Female workforce provision evidence
• Drinking water supply test records
• First aid facility register

• Insufficient toilets for workforce size
• No separate facilities for female workers
• Water supply untested

Construction sites must be organised to provide safe access and egress, prevent unauthorised entry, and control hazards such as traffic, falling objects, and openings.

• Site logistics plan showing access routes and segregation
• Hoarding and signage inspection records
• Traffic management plan
• Edge protection inspection schedule
• Daily site walk inspection record
• Access control system logs

• Pedestrian and vehicle routes not segregated
• Edge protection not inspected weekly
• Hoarding gaps allowing unauthorised access

Temporary and permanent structures, excavations, cofferdams and caissons must be designed, constructed, maintained and inspected to remain stable during the works.

• Temporary works register with designer and coordinator
• Temporary works design check certificates
• Excavation inspection records (daily, weekly, after events)
• Cofferdam and caisson design statements
• Permit-to-load and permit-to-dig records
• Ground investigation report

• No temporary works coordinator
• Excavation inspections not signed
• Ground investigation outdated

A competent person must inspect specified workplaces at defined intervals and prepare written reports identifying any defects or risks requiring action.

• Statutory inspection register (scaffolds, excavations, lifting)
• Inspector competence records
• Defect close-out tracker
• Inspection report templates aligned to Schedule 3
• Scaffold handover certificates
• LOLER inspection certificates for lifting equipment

• Inspection reports unsigned
• Defects logged but not closed
• Inspector competence not evidenced

Electricity, gas, water and other services on site must be installed, maintained and located so they do not endanger workers, with overhead and underground services identified before work.

• Service location survey before works
• CAT and Genny scanner certification
• Permit-to-break-ground records
• Temporary electricity certification (110V CTE)
• Lockout tagout register
• Overhead line risk assessment

• No service survey before excavation
• Temporary electrics not 110V CTE
• Permit-to-break-ground missing

Suitable emergency procedures, routes, exits and means of warning must be provided and rehearsed to deal with foreseeable emergencies on construction sites.

• Site emergency plan
• Fire risk assessment for construction site
• Emergency drill records
• Muster point signage layout
• Fire warden roster
• Liaison records with emergency services

• No drills conducted
• Fire risk assessment not updated as works progressed
• Muster points not displayed

Per UK Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015): Client, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor Duties. Source-grounded summary control covering authoritative framework structure + key obligations. See manifest + log for detailed mapping.

• Authoritative source-grounded evidence for UKCDM-1

• see authoritative source for detailed gap analysis