| Guvnor

The principal contractor must draw up a construction phase plan before the construction site is set up. Where there is only one contractor, that contractor draws it up as soon as practicable before setting up the site.

Construction phase plan requirements

The plan sets out how health and safety risks will be managed during construction.

Every construction project needs a construction phase plan, drawn up before the construction phase begins. On a project with only one contractor, that contractor draws it up; where there is more than one contractor, the principal contractor does (CDM 2015 regulations 4(5) and 12(1)). The principal contractor must keep it reviewed, updated and revised throughout the project.

When required: Every project, whether it has one contractor or several
Drawn up by: The contractor, if there is only one; otherwise the principal contractor
Timing: Before the construction phase begins
Content: The health and safety arrangements and site rules for the project
Particular risks: Specific measures for any work listed in Schedule 3, such as work near high voltage power lines, work at risk of burial or falls from height, or work involving explosives
Review: Reviewed, updated and revised throughout the project

Principal contractors under CDM 2015 (opens in a new tab)

High-risk work requiring specific controls

Schedule 3 lists work involving particular risks that the plan must address.

1. Burial and falling risks: Work with risk of burial under earthfalls, engulfment in swampland, or falling from height where particularly aggravated
2. Chemical or biological hazards: Work putting workers at risk from substances dangerous to health, including work requiring health monitoring
3. Ionising radiation: Work with ionising radiation requiring controlled or supervised areas under IRR 2017
4. High voltage power lines: Work conducted near high voltage power lines
5. Drowning hazards: Work exposing workers to risk of drowning
6. Underground work: Operations on wells, underground excavations, and tunnels
7. Diving operations: Work carried out by divers with air supply systems
8. Compressed air: Work in caissons with compressed air atmospheres
9. Explosives: Work involving explosive materials
10. Heavy prefabricated elements: Assembly or dismantling of substantial prefabricated structural elements

Construction phase plan requirement

Where any Schedule 3 work is involved, the construction phase plan must include specific measures to address these risks. The plan must be proportionate to the complexity and risks of the project.

Principal Contractor responsibility

The Principal Contractor must ensure that specific measures for Schedule 3 work are:

Identified in the construction phase plan
Communicated to all relevant contractors and workers
Implemented and monitored throughout the project

Create a construction phase plan

What the plan must contain and how to keep it up to date.

Prepare the construction phase plan

Create a construction phase plan