RAMS & CDM 2015 The Ultimate Guide for UK Civil Engineering Contractors

In 60 Seconds — What CDM 2015 and RAMS Require of a Small Civils Contractor

As a director of a small UK civil engineering firm, you need clear, direct information. Here’s a summary of your core duties regarding Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

• CDM 2015 applies to all construction work, including small and domestic projects. The regulations establish key dutyholders to manage health and safety from start to finish. The HSE provides a full overview of these duties.
• The Principal Contractor must have a written Construction Phase Plan (CPP) on every project. Its detail should be proportionate to the risks involved. If you are the only contractor on a job, you are responsible for preparing it.
• You only need to notify the HSE with an F10 notification if a project is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers simultaneously at any point, or if it will exceed 500 person-days. The Client is ultimately responsible for this.
• Risk assessment is a legal requirement. While method statements aren't specifically mandated by law, they are the industry standard for communicating a safe system of work. For a full breakdown of the components, explore our guide on what RAMS are and why they are essential.
• RAMS must be site- and task-specific. As we explain in our comparison of generic vs. site-specific RAMS, generic documents are not compliant and are a major red flag for clients. They must be briefed to the workforce, and you must keep a record of who has signed to confirm they have read and understood them.

Navigating CDM 2015 — Roles, Responsibilities and What “Good” Looks Like for SMEs

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) define clear roles to manage health and safety throughout a project's lifecycle. Understanding your part is the first step to compliance. Here’s who does what.

• Client (Commercial): The client initiates the project. Their duties include appointing the PD and PC, providing pre-construction information, ensuring a CPP is in place before work starts, and confirming that adequate welfare facilities are provided.
• Principal Designer (PD): The PD plans, manages, and monitors the pre-construction phase. This involves coordinating designers, liaising with the PC, ensuring designers eliminate foreseeable risks, and preparing the Health & Safety File for project completion.
• Principal Contractor (PC): This is often the role a civils SME will hold. The Principal Contractor’s duties involve planning, managing, and monitoring the construction phase. This includes preparing and enforcing the CPP, ensuring site inductions, organising cooperation between contractors, and securing the site.
• Contractors: If you are working under a PC, you must plan, manage and monitor your own work safely. If you are the only contractor on a project, you must produce the CPP yourself.
• Domestic Projects: On projects for a domestic client, their duties typically transfer to the Principal Contractor or Principal Designer under a written agreement, simplifying the process for homeowners.

The Three Core Documents You Can’t Ignore

Compliance with CDM 2015 revolves around three key documents. Getting these right is non-negotiable for passing audits, protecting your team, and demonstrating competence.

The Construction Phase Plan (CPP) — Required on Every Project

A Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is a live document that details how health and safety will be managed during the construction phase. A common question is: do small projects need a CPP? Yes, every project requires one, but its complexity should be proportionate to the site's risks.

A simple CPP for a small job should include:

• A project description and key contact details.
• Management arrangements (inductions, supervision, competence).
• Site rules and welfare arrangements.
• Control measures for any Schedule 3 high-risk activities.
• Emergency and rescue plans.

RAMS — Your Site-Specific Safe System of Work

While the term "RAMS" isn't explicitly used in legislation, its two components are essential. The debate between a method statement and a risk assessment is simple: a risk assessment identifies the hazards, and a method statement describes the step-by-step safe process to do the work. Combining them into a single RAMS document is industry best practice.

A good document is specific, clear, and written for the people doing the job, not just to tick a box. To get started, you can download our free civil engineering RAMS template.

The Health & Safety File — When It’s Required and What It Contains

The Health & Safety File is a record of information for the client, which they can use for future construction, maintenance, or demolition work. The Principal Designer is responsible for preparing it on any project with more than one contractor. It contains information like as-built drawings, residual hazards, and specifications of key equipment.

F10 Notification — Do You Need to Notify?

An F10 is a notification submitted to the HSE for specific types of construction projects. It is a common point of confusion, but the rules are clear.

When is an F10 notification required? You must notify the HSE if your project meets either of these thresholds:

1. It is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days AND have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point.
2. It is scheduled to exceed 500 person-days of construction work.

For example, a project with 10 workers on site for 60 days (600 person-days) would require an F10. The client holds the duty to notify, though this can be delegated. For notifiable projects, the F10 form must be clearly displayed on site. You can submit an F10 on the HSE website.

How to Write a High-Quality, Site-Specific RAMS (Step-by-Step)

A generic RAMS document is a red flag for any competent client or principal contractor. For a full walkthrough, read our detailed guide on how to write a RAMS. Here is a summary of the process:

1. Define the Scope: Clearly state the task, location, and relevant drawings. List any permits to work required (e.g., permit to dig) and reference key standards.
2. Break Down the Task: List the sequence of operations from start to finish. Include "hold points" where checks are needed before proceeding.
3. Identify Hazards & Controls: For each step, identify potential hazards. Apply the hierarchy of control (Eliminate, Reduce, Isolate, Control) and record specific control measures (e.g., CAT4+ Genny, 3t mini-digger with check valves, specific PPE class).
4. Address 'Particular Risks': If the task involves Schedule 3 risks (e.g., risk of burial in an excavation, work near high-voltage cables), detail the specific precautions you will take.
5. Confirm Competence & Supervision: Name the supervisors responsible. Specify the required competencies for the team (e.g., CSCS, CPCS for plant, Temporary Works Coordinator, LOLER Appointed Person).
6. Plan for Emergencies: Detail your rescue plan. This is crucial for tasks like trench work, confined space entry, or work near water. Include emergency contacts and access/egress routes.
7. Consider Environmental Factors: Note any constraints, such as noise limits, working hours, or measures to prevent silt runoff into watercourses.
8. Briefing & Review: Create a sign-off sheet for all operatives to sign after a briefing. Define triggers for review, such as a change in conditions, an incident, or new information. A supervisor briefs the document, and every operative involved signs to confirm their understanding.

Typical High-Risk Civils Activities — What HSE Expects to See in RAMS

For certain high-risk civil engineering tasks, the HSE has clear expectations. Your RAMS must address these points with sufficient detail.

• Excavations and buried services: Reference HSG47 underground services guidance. Your RAMS must show a process for service location (plans, CAT & Genny, trial holes), use of insulated tools, spoil control, and measures to prevent collapse (battering or shoring).
• Lifting operations (LOLER): Every lift needs a LOLER lifting plan prepared by a competent person. RAMS should specify the competent team (Appointed Person, Lift Supervisor, Slinger), pre-use checks on equipment, and ground condition requirements.
• Temporary Works: Any structure that enables construction (e.g., formwork, propping, excavation support) is temporary works. A Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) must be appointed, and your RAMS should reflect the design, checking, and inspection process outlined in BS 5975.
• Traffic management: Detail your plans to segregate vehicles and pedestrians. Include one-way systems, designated crossing points, and rules for banksmen.
• Work near/over water: Your RAMS must include preventative measures (e.g., edge protection), personal protective equipment (lifejackets), rescue equipment (throw lines, rescue boat), and a specific emergency plan addressing risks like cold water shock.

Tender Readiness — Packaging H&S Documents to Win Work

When a main contractor or client reviews your tender submission, they are assessing your competence. A professional, well-organised H&S pack is a critical part of winning tenders with health and safety.

They are looking for:

• Site-specificity: Evidence you've considered the actual site, not just sent a template.
• Integration: RAMS that reference specific drawings and project phasing.
• Competence: Attached certs for plant operators, supervisors, and planners (e.g., TWC, AP).
• Clarity: A deep understanding of what Principal Contractors look for in H&S paperwork.
• Professionalism: A single, organised PDF with clear version control, a contents page, and sign-off sheets ready to go. Learning how to structure the H&S section of your bid can make all the difference.

Digital Workflow — How RAMSGen Cuts Paperwork Time by ~90%

For a time-poor SME director, spending hours formatting Word documents is a major drain. Just how long should writing RAMS take? A digital system can significantly reduce this time and provide a competitive edge.

By exploring productivity and technology in H&S, you can streamline your entire workflow. RAMSGen is designed specifically for civil engineering contractors, auto-structuring your RAMS and CPPs based on the activity you select. The system inserts statutory prompts for things like Schedule 3 risks and LOLER planning, ensuring you don't miss critical details. It also handles version control, captures digital signatures from your team on-site, and exports a single, tender-ready PDF pack in minutes.

Common Compliance Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

Many contractors fall into the same traps. Here are the most common and how to avoid them.

• Generic RAMS: Using a template without adding site-specific details is one of the most common mistakes in RAMS documents. Fix: Follow a step-by-step process to tailor every document.
• Missing CPP on small jobs: Believing CDM 2015 doesn't apply. Fix: Remember every project needs a proportionate CPP.
• Forgetting the F10: Miscalculating person-days or worker numbers. Fix: Calculate thresholds at the tender stage for every project.
• Director Liability: Underestimating personal accountability is a significant issue. Fix: Understand your duties and learn how to reduce your CDM compliance risk.
• Unplanned lifting: Using an excavator for a lift without a proper plan. Fix: Every lift requires a competent plan under LOLER.
• Ignoring temporary works: Failing to appoint a TWC for shoring or formwork. Fix: Appoint a TWC and follow a formal checking process.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

Are RAMS a legal requirement under CDM 2015? Risk assessment is a legal duty. Method statements are not a specific legal requirement but are considered industry best practice for demonstrating a safe system of work. Our guide explains in more detail what RAMS are and why they're required by clients.

Do I need a CPP for a small project? Yes. The law requires a Construction Phase Plan for every construction project. However, it should be proportionate to the scale and risks of the job.

When is an F10 needed? An F10 notification is required if a project will last longer than 30 working days with 20+ workers simultaneously, or if it will exceed 500 person-days. The client is responsible for notifying the HSE.

Who signs RAMS and how often to review? The document authoriser (e.g., contracts manager) signs to approve the RAMS. A site supervisor briefs the RAMS to the workforce, and each operative signs to confirm they understand it. They should be reviewed whenever there is a change in the task, after an incident, or at pre-agreed intervals.

What must the PC do under CDM? The Principal Contractor’s roles and responsibilities include planning, managing, and monitoring the construction phase. This involves preparing and enforcing the CPP, providing site inductions, ensuring welfare facilities are adequate, and coordinating the work of all contractors.

Glossary

• RAMS: Risk Assessment Method Statement. A document detailing the hazards and safe working procedure for a specific task.
• CPP: Construction Phase Plan. A document detailing how health and safety will be managed on a construction site.
• PD: Principal Designer. The organisation or individual appointed by the client to control the pre-construction phase.
• PC: Principal Contractor. The organisation or individual appointed by the client to control the construction phase.
• F10: The official form used to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about a construction project.
• TWC: Temporary Works Coordinator. A competent person with responsibility for the procedures and control of all temporary works on a site.
• LOLER: The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. These regulations place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment. Read the HSE L113 guidance.
• HSG47: HSE guidance on Avoiding Danger from Underground Services.
• Particular Risks: A list of high-risk activities defined in Schedule 3 of the CDM 2015 regulations that require specific management controls.

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Watch a 2-minute demo of RAMSGen to see how to build CPPs and site-specific RAMS in minutes — with version control, brief/sign-off capture, and tender-ready export.

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About the author

Dylan is the founder of RAMSGen and a former Site Manager in the British Army’s Royal Engineers. His hands-on experience delivering complex civils projects worldwide informs RAMSGen's design. He is passionate about translating military-grade planning principles into practical, no-nonsense health and safety tools that save time for SME contractors.