CDM Regulations 2015

CDM 2015 applies to all construction work, including new build, refurbishment, maintenance, and demolition. The duties vary depending on the project type and whether it meets the 'notifiable' threshold, but all clients, designers, and contractors have baseline responsibilities regardless of project size.

The principal duty holders are the Client, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor, Designer, and Contractor. On larger notifiable projects, all five roles must be formally appointed. On smaller domestic or single-contractor projects, some roles may be combined or simplified, but core duties still apply.

The Principal Designer is a designer with control over the pre-construction phase. Their role is to plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate health and safety risks during the design stage, ensuring hazards are eliminated or reduced before construction begins. Core Compliance can act as Principal Designer on your project.

The Construction Phase Plan is a document prepared by the Principal Contractor (or contractor on smaller projects) that sets out how health and safety will be managed on site. It must be prepared before construction work begins and updated throughout the project. Core Compliance can review and advise on construction phase plans.

The Health and Safety File is a record compiled by the Principal Designer containing information relevant to the safe future maintenance, repair, and use of the completed structure. It must be handed to the client at project completion and updated whenever further work is carried out on the building.