What is CDM 2015?

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, commonly known as CDM 2015, are the main set of regulations for managing health, safety, and welfare on construction projects in the UK. They replaced the previous CDM 2007 regulations and came into force on 6 April 2015.

CDM 2015 applies to all construction work in Great Britain, regardless of size or duration. Whether you're building a skyscraper or fitting a kitchen, these regulations apply to you.

Why CDM 2015 Matters

Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the UK. According to HSE statistics:

• Construction accounts for around 30% of all workplace fatal injuries
• Falls from height remain the biggest killer
• Many accidents are preventable with proper planning

CDM 2015 aims to improve health and safety by ensuring projects are properly planned, risks are managed from design through to completion, and everyone understands their responsibilities.

The Five Duty Holders

CDM 2015 defines five key duty holders, each with specific responsibilities:

1. Clients

The client is anyone who has construction work carried out for them. This includes:

• Property developers
• Local authorities
• Homeowners commissioning work (domestic clients have different rules)
• Business owners refurbishing premises

Key duties:

• Make suitable arrangements for managing the project
• Ensure adequate time and resources are allocated
• Appoint duty holders (principal designer, principal contractor) on notifiable projects
• Provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors
• Ensure a construction phase plan is in place before work starts
• Ensure the principal designer prepares a health and safety file

2. Principal Designers

The principal designer is appointed by the client on projects with more than one contractor. They must be a designer with control over the pre-construction phase.

Key duties:

• Plan, manage, and monitor the pre-construction phase
• Coordinate health and safety matters during design
• Help and advise the client
• Ensure designers comply with their duties
• Prepare and update the health and safety file
• Liaise with the principal contractor

3. Designers

Designers include architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and anyone who prepares designs for construction work—including contractors who design temporary works.

Key duties:

• Eliminate hazards through design where possible
• Reduce risks that cannot be eliminated
• Provide information about remaining risks
• Consider the general principles of prevention
• Ensure designs are buildable safely

4. Principal Contractors

The principal contractor is appointed by the client on projects with more than one contractor. They manage the construction phase.

Key duties:

• Plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase
• Prepare the construction phase plan
• Organise cooperation between contractors
• Ensure suitable site inductions are provided
• Take steps to prevent unauthorised access
• Ensure welfare facilities are provided
• Liaise with the principal designer
• Consult and engage with workers

5. Contractors

Contractors are those who carry out or manage construction work. This includes subcontractors and self-employed workers.

Key duties:

• Plan, manage, and monitor their own work
• Ensure workers have the right skills, knowledge, and training
• Provide appropriate supervision, instructions, and information
• Ensure work doesn't start unless the construction phase plan is in place
• Cooperate with others and coordinate their work
• Comply with directions from principal contractor

Notifiable vs Non-Notifiable Projects

A project is notifiable to HSE if it will:

• Last longer than 30 working days AND have more than 20 workers working at any one time, OR
• Exceed 500 person-days of construction work

For notifiable projects, the client must submit an F10 notification to HSE before construction begins.

Non-notifiable projects still require full compliance with CDM 2015—the only difference is no F10 notification is needed.

Domestic Clients

If you're a homeowner having work done on your own home, you're classified as a domestic client. Your duties automatically pass to:

• The contractor (for single contractor projects)
• The principal contractor (for multiple contractor projects)
• Or the principal designer if appointed before the principal contractor

Domestic clients can choose to take on client duties themselves by making a written declaration.

Key Documentation Required

Pre-Construction Information

The client must provide relevant information about the project and site, including:

• Existing drawings and plans
• Previous health and safety files
• Asbestos surveys
• Ground conditions
• Existing services (utilities)
• Any site-specific hazards

Construction Phase Plan

This must be prepared by the principal contractor (or contractor on single-contractor projects) before construction begins. It must include:

• Project description and management structure
• Arrangements for controlling significant site risks
• Specific arrangements for high-risk work
• Welfare arrangements
• Emergency procedures

Health and Safety File

The principal designer must prepare this document containing information needed for future construction work, maintenance, or cleaning. It should include:

• As-built drawings
• Design information
• Details of equipment and materials used
• Information about services
• Maintenance requirements

Where RAMS Fits In

Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) are a key tool for contractors to meet their CDM 2015 duties. While RAMS aren't specifically mentioned in CDM 2015, they help contractors:

• Plan, manage, and monitor their work safely
• Provide information and instruction to workers
• Demonstrate compliance with health and safety law
• Contribute to the construction phase plan
• Coordinate with other contractors on site

Most principal contractors require RAMS from subcontractors before allowing work to begin—it's become industry standard practice.

Common CDM 2015 Mistakes

Avoid these frequent compliance failures:

• Treating CDM as paperwork only: It's about active management, not just documentation
• Late appointments: Principal designers and contractors should be appointed early
• Poor pre-construction information: Clients often fail to provide adequate site information
• Generic construction phase plans: Plans must be project-specific
• Ignoring worker engagement: CDM requires genuine consultation with workers
• Assuming domestic projects are exempt: CDM applies to all construction work

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Breaches of CDM 2015 can result in:

• Improvement or prohibition notices from HSE
• Prosecution leading to unlimited fines
• Prison sentences for serious breaches (up to 2 years)
• Corporate manslaughter charges in extreme cases

Beyond legal penalties, non-compliance can result in site shutdowns, contract termination, and reputational damage.

How DocGen Helps with CDM Compliance

DocGen's AI-powered RAMS generator helps contractors meet their CDM 2015 duties by:

• Generating comprehensive risk assessments: Identify hazards systematically
• Creating detailed method statements: Document safe working procedures
• Ensuring consistency: AI applies industry standards across all documents
• Saving time: Generate compliant RAMS in minutes, not hours
• Facilitating worker briefings: QR codes enable easy site communication

Key Takeaways

• CDM 2015 applies to ALL construction work in the UK
• Five duty holders have specific responsibilities: clients, principal designers, designers, principal contractors, and contractors
• Projects with multiple contractors need principal designer and principal contractor appointments
• Key documents include pre-construction information, construction phase plan, and health and safety file
• RAMS help contractors demonstrate CDM compliance
• Non-compliance can lead to prosecution and unlimited fines

Further Resources

For more information on CDM 2015:

• HSE CDM 2015 Guidance
• The full CDM 2015 Regulations
• L153 - Managing health and safety in construction (HSE publication)