What is CDM 2015? The plain-English version.
CDM 2015 is the common name for the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, the main set of health and safety rules for construction projects in Great Britain. They apply to all construction work, from a domestic extension to a major development, and set out who is responsible for managing health and safety at each stage and what they must do. The aim is straightforward: plan and manage projects so people aren't harmed building, using or maintaining what gets constructed.
When you need it done properly, here's who's behind the advice.
CDM 2015 works by giving clear duties to defined roles.
Each role has a job. On a single-contractor project you don't need a Principal Designer or Principal Contractor, but the client, designer, contractor and worker duties still apply.
Anyone for whom a construction project is carried out. The client sits at the top: they make the dutyholder appointments, provide pre-construction information, and ensure arrangements are in place to manage the project safely. Client failures sit behind a lot of CDM problems.
Plans, manages and coordinates health and safety during the pre-construction (design) phase. Required on projects with more than one contractor.
Plans, manages and coordinates health and safety during the construction (build) phase. Also required on projects with more than one contractor.
Anyone who prepares or modifies designs. They have a duty to eliminate, reduce or control risk through their design choices.
Anyone who carries out the construction work. They plan, manage and monitor their own work to keep it safe.
The people doing the work. They must look after their own health and safety and that of others, and follow the arrangements in place.
Some projects are large enough that the HSE needs to be told.
That notification is made on a form called the F10. A project is notifiable, and so needs an F10, if the construction work will meet either threshold below. It's a notification, not an application: you're informing the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), not asking permission.
The work will last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers on site at the same time at any point.
Or the project will exceed 500 person-days of construction work in total.
Where a project is notifiable, the client is responsible for ensuring the F10 is submitted to the HSE before the construction phase begins.
Your CDM duties as the client come down to a few practical things.
If you're commissioning construction work, this is what's on you. Get it wrong, or skip it, and the duties don't vanish. They land back on you, with the risk of enforcement action and prosecution.
We act as your Principal Designer and handle the appointments that have to stand up.
Spectra acts as Principal Designer under CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act, handles your F10, and makes sure your appointments and arrangements stand up. Tell us the situation and a named consultant will give you a straight answer, with no script and no obligation.
The CDM specialist you'll actually work with.
You get one named consultant who knows CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act inside out. They learn your project, make the appointments stand up, and pick up the phone when you need a straight answer.
“Tell me the project and I'll tell you straight where your duties sit, what's notifiable, and what has to happen before work starts.”
Book a free duty-holder callCommon CDM 2015 questions
Does CDM 2015 apply to domestic projects?
Who has the most responsibility under CDM 2015?
What's the difference between CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act?
When is a project notifiable under CDM 2015?
Do I need a Principal Designer for every project?
Still not sure what applies to your project?
Tell us the situation and a named consultant will give you a straight answer, with no script and no obligation. Book a free duty-holder call. Nationwide, from our Altrincham base.