CDM 2015: Practical Guide for Small Civil Contractors

CDM 2015 in 60 seconds (Answer-First)

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) are the primary regulations for managing health, safety, and welfare on all UK construction projects. They apply to all construction work, including small and short-duration jobs. Their purpose is to ensure risks are identified and managed from the design stage through to final handover.

For a small civil contractor, compliance on every project, regardless of size, means having the following in place:

• Roles confirmed: Everyone knows their CDM roles and responsibilities.
• CPP before work starts: A proportionate Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is written before any site work begins.
• Proportionate RAMS: Site-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements are produced for the tasks.
• Welfare: Adequate welfare facilities are provided from day one.
• Inductions: Every worker receives a site-specific induction.
• Supervision: The work is properly supervised by competent people.
• Coordination: Activities are coordinated to prevent accidents.

As the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states, the goal of the CDM 2015 regulations is to concentrate efforts on planning and managing risk.

When CDM 2015 applies and what makes a project ‘notifiable’

The CDM 2015 regulations apply to virtually all construction work carried out in Great Britain. This includes minor works, repairs, and maintenance jobs. However, only certain larger projects are ‘notifiable’, meaning the HSE must be formally told about the project before work begins.

A project is notifiable if the construction work is scheduled to:

1. Last longer than 30 working days AND have more than 20 workers on-site at the same time at any point in the project. OR
2. Exceed 500 person-days of construction work (e.g., 50 people working for 10 days).

A practical example would be a 12-week highways improvement scheme employing 30 operatives and staff simultaneously. This project clearly meets the first test and would require notification. For full details, the HSE provides clear FAQs on CDM 2015.

Who submits the F10 and what details are needed

The responsibility for notifying the HSE via an F10 form lies with the Client. On domestic projects, if the client is not a construction expert, this duty can be passed to the Principal Contractor or Principal Designer.

The F10 notification requires basic project details, including the site address, a brief description of the work, and contact information for the Client, Principal Designer (PD), and Principal Contractor (PC). You can complete the notification on the online HSE F10 page.

Who does what on small civils projects (clients, PD, PC, contractors)

The CDM 2015 regulations establish clear duties for key roles to ensure health and safety is managed throughout a project's lifecycle. Everyone involved must have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and (if an organisation) organisational capability to carry out their role.

Here is a breakdown of the core CDM roles and responsibilities:

• Client: The person or organisation for whom the project is carried out. They must make suitable arrangements for managing the project, including appointing other dutyholders and ensuring they have sufficient time and resources.
• Principal Designer (PD): Appointed by the Client on projects with more than one contractor. The PD plans, manages, and monitors the pre-construction (design) phase and coordinates health and safety matters to eliminate or control foreseeable risks.
• Principal Contractor (PC): Also appointed by the Client on projects with more than one contractor. The PC plans, manages, and monitors the construction phase, ensuring work is carried out safely.
• Contractors: Organisations or individuals who carry out the actual construction work. They must plan, manage and monitor their own work.
• Workers: Individuals working for a contractor. They have a duty to cooperate with their employer and other dutyholders.

Principal Contractor (PC) essentials

When a small contractor takes on the role of PC, their principal contractor duties are significant. According to the HSE, you must:

• Plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase.
• Take ownership of, and develop, the Construction Phase Plan (CPP).
• Provide site-specific inductions for all workers.
• Ensure welfare facilities are provided and maintained.
• Secure the site from unauthorised access.
• Engage and consult with workers on H&S matters.
• Coordinate with the Principal Designer and other contractors.

Principal Designer (PD) essentials

The PD leads on health and safety during the pre-construction phase. Their key principal designer duties involve identifying, eliminating, or controlling foreseeable risks through design choices. They are responsible for preparing and passing on the pre-construction information (PCI) to the PC and producing the final health and safety file. On smaller civil engineering projects, the PD may be an individual designer or the lead designer in a team.

Contractors and subcontractors

All contractors and subcontractors have duties under CDM 2015. They must plan, manage, and monitor their own work to ensure it is carried out safely. This includes checking the competence of their employees, providing appropriate supervision, and ensuring all workers have received a site-specific induction. Crucially, they must cooperate with the PC and PD and provide any information needed for the health and safety file.

The documents that matter (and when to produce them)

CDM compliance relies on clear, proportionate documentation. For small civil contractors, getting these four key documents right is essential to reduce CDM compliance risk and satisfy client requirements.

Pre-Construction Information (PCI)

This is the information pack assembled by the client and PD before work begins. The legislation defines it as information already in the client’s possession or which is reasonably obtainable. In practical terms, it includes details on ground conditions, underground services, nearby structures, and any residual design risks that inform the PC's planning.

Construction Phase Plan (CPP)

A Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is legally required for every construction project, regardless of size or duration. The PC (or the sole contractor on a single-contractor job) is responsible for creating it before any setup or construction work begins. The CPP sets out the health and safety arrangements for the construction phase and must be proportionate to the project's scale and risks.

RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements)

RAMS are where you detail how you will manage specific high-risk tasks safely. They provide the evidence that underpins the arrangements described in your CPP. For CDM compliance, your RAMS must be site-specific, task-specific, and proportionate. Common civil engineering tasks requiring robust RAMS include excavations, lifting operations, temporary works, traffic management, and work near underground services.

Health & Safety File (H&SF)

The health and safety file is created by the Principal Designer and handed over to the client at the end of the project. As defined by the regulations, it contains relevant health and safety information needed for future maintenance, cleaning, or demolition of the structure. The PC and contractors must provide the PD with any information required for the file.

Step-by-step CDM workflow for small contractors

A structured workflow ensures you meet your CDM obligations at every stage.

• Phase 1: Pre-construction

  • Confirm all CDM roles and responsibilities are formally appointed.
  • Gather and review the Pre-Construction Information (PCI).
  • Identify significant risks and plan control measures.
  • Check the competence of all appointees.
  • Plan for site welfare facilities from day one.
  • Ensure the programme allows sufficient time for safe planning and execution.

• Phase 2: Mobilisation

  • Draft a site-specific Construction Phase Plan (CPP) and get it approved.
  • Produce RAMS for the first sequence of activities.
  • Prepare site induction materials.
  • Secure any necessary permits (e.g., road closures, environmental).
  • Set up site security, traffic management, and welfare facilities.

• Phase 3: Delivery

  • Supervise and monitor work on site.
  • Update the CPP and RAMS if site conditions or the scope of work changes.
  • Coordinate between different trades and subcontractors.
  • Maintain welfare facilities.
  • Consult with workers and hold regular safety briefings.
  • Effectively manage high-risk activities listed in Schedule 3 of the regulations.
  • Keep records of inductions, inspections, and briefings as evidence of compliance.

• Phase 4: Handover/Close

  • Provide all necessary information to the PD for the health and safety file.
  • Ensure the H&S File is completed and handed to the client.
  • Review the project to capture any lessons learned.
  • Retain project records for the required period.

Welfare and worker engagement

Providing adequate welfare facilities is a non-negotiable legal requirement under CDM 2015 Schedule 2. Even for short-duration or remote civils projects, the HSE expects proper arrangements.

Quick wins for civils sites:

• Toilets & Washing: Provide enough portable toilets and ensure they are cleaned. Handwashing facilities must have running hot and cold (or warm) water, soap, and a means of drying hands.
• Rest: A clean, sheltered area for taking breaks with seating and a means for boiling water is essential.
• Planning: Locate welfare units close to the work area to minimise downtime and ensure they are used.

Engaging with your workforce is equally important. Involve them in discussions about risk, listen to their concerns, and ensure they understand the CPP and RAMS for their tasks.

Typical pitfalls that lead to enforcement or tender rejection

Many contractors fall foul of the same common issues. Here’s how to avoid them.

• Unclear appointments: Dutyholders aren't formally appointed in writing.
  • How to fix: Always get written confirmation from the client of your appointment as PC or Contractor.
• No CPP before start: Mobilising to site before the CPP is written and agreed.
  • How to fix: Make CPP completion a mandatory pre-start gate in your internal processes.
• Generic RAMS: Using a template RAMS that isn't specific to the site or task.
  • How to fix: Always adapt your templates to reflect the specific ground conditions, equipment, personnel, and sequence of the job.
• Poor welfare: Providing substandard or no welfare facilities.
  • How to fix: Order welfare units at the same time as plant and materials. Make it part of the standard mobilisation checklist.
• Missing inductions: Workers starting without a site-specific induction.
  • How to fix: Implement a strict "no induction, no entry" policy and keep a signed register.
• Not updating documents: Failing to review the CPP or RAMS after an incident or change in scope.
  • How to fix: Make document review a standard part of your site management meetings and change control process.

FAQs

Does CDM 2015 apply to small jobs? Yes. The CDM 2015 regulations apply to all construction work, including projects with only one or two workers lasting just a few hours. The effort you put into planning and managing risk should be proportionate to the job's complexity.

When is an F10 notification required? An F10 notification is required if a project is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously on site, or if it will exceed 500 person-days. The Client is responsible for notification.

Do I need a CPP on a one-day job? Yes. A Construction Phase Plan is legally required for every construction project. For a one-day job with low risks, it can be a very simple document, but it must be written before work starts.

Who is responsible for the H&S file? The Principal Designer (PD) is responsible for preparing the health and safety file. The PC and all contractors must provide the PD with the information they need to compile it. At the end of the project, the PD passes it to the client.

Can one organisation hold multiple CDM roles? Yes, providing the organisation has the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and organisational capability to carry out the duties for each role effectively. For example, a contractor could be appointed as both Principal Contractor and Principal Designer.

How RAMSGen helps you deliver CDM-ready paperwork fast

Meeting your CDM 2015 responsibilities for small contractors means producing high-quality, site-specific paperwork. This is where clients and safety schemes often find weaknesses. RAMSGen is built to solve this problem for busy civil engineering firms.

• Site-specific RAMS in minutes: Our library of templates, designed for civils tasks like excavations and traffic management, lets you produce proportionate, site-specific RAMS rapidly.
• Structured CPPs: Start with a clear Construction Phase Plan structure that prompts you for inputs directly from the PCI, ensuring nothing is missed.
• Live Document Control: As site conditions change, easily update and version-control your CPP and RAMS, keeping your documents live and relevant.
• Audit-Ready Evidence: Export a complete evidence bundle, including induction records, briefing sign-offs, and inspection forms, to satisfy auditors and win tenders.

RAMSGen is designed to cut your H&S paperwork time by up to 90%, giving you more time on site while reducing your CDM risk profile.

Ready to see how easy CDM paperwork can be? Watch our 2-minute demo and start your free trial today.

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About the author

Dylan is the founder of RAMSGen. A former Site Manager in the British Army’s Royal Engineers, he has extensive hands-on experience running busy civil engineering sites. His background in coordinating trades, managing risk, and delivering safe, compliant outcomes under pressure is built into every feature of the RAMSGen platform.

References and further reading

For authoritative detail, always consult the official sources:

• HSE CDM 2015 Hub: The main landing page for guidance, roles, FAQs, and the F10 form.
• HSE CIS80 - Construction Phase Plan: A clear guide confirming a CPP is needed on every project.
• Legislation.gov.uk: The full text of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• HSE Role Pages: Detailed guidance for Principal Designers, Principal Contractors, and Contractors.