Journey · Compliance map
Run a construction business
Ongoing compliance, site safety, and operational requirements for established construction businesses
Project compliance
CDM duties, building control, and planning requirements for each project.
CDM duties on every project
CDM 2015 applies to ALL construction projects - even small jobs. Check your role and duties at the start of each project.
Building Regulations approval
Most building work requires Building Regulations approval. Apply through local authority building control or an approved inspector before work starts.
Site safety
Managing health and safety on construction sites.
Construction site health and safety
Work at height, asbestos, manual handling, PPE, welfare facilities, and RIDDOR reporting.
Work at height requirements
Falls from height remain the biggest cause of construction deaths. Follow the hierarchy of controls: avoid, prevent, minimise.
Asbestos management
Asbestos may be present in any building constructed before 2000. Check for asbestos before starting work that may disturb building fabric.
Asbestos licensing requirements
Some asbestos work requires an HSE licence. Non-licensed but notifiable work requires training and notification.
Control hazardous substances (COSHH)
Construction sites use hazardous substances including cement, solvents, silica dust, and wood dust. COSHH assessments are required.
Report incidents to HSE (RIDDOR)
Report deaths, specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, and dangerous occurrences. Report immediately for fatalities or specified injuries.
HSE enforcement and inspections
HSE inspectors can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecute for serious breaches. Know how to respond.
Workforce compliance
Managing worker competency, CSCS cards, and subcontractors.
CSCS card requirements
Most sites require valid CSCS cards for access. Ensure all workers and subcontractors have appropriate cards for their roles.
CSCS card types by role
Different card colours indicate different qualification levels. Match cards to worker competence and job requirements.
CSCS card renewals
Cards have limited validity. Track expiry dates and ensure workers renew before cards expire to maintain site access.
CPCS plant operator cards
Plant operators need valid CPCS cards for the machinery they operate. Red trained operator cards require supervision; blue competent operator cards allow unsupervised work.
CIS verification process
Verify all subcontractors with HMRC before first payment. Unverified subcontractors face 30% deduction; verified registered subcontractors 20%.
Environmental compliance
Waste management, pollution prevention, and environmental permits.
Waste carrier registration
If you transport construction waste (even your own), you need to register as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.
Waste duty of care
You're legally responsible for waste from creation to disposal. Use only registered carriers and licensed disposal sites. Keep waste transfer notes for 2 years.
Financial compliance
Construction Industry Scheme, VAT, and tax obligations.
CIS gross payment status
Subcontractors can apply for gross payment status to receive payments without deductions. Strict turnover and compliance tests apply.
Insurance and risk management
Maintaining appropriate cover for construction work.
Business insurance requirements
Employers' liability (legally required), public liability, and other construction-relevant insurance.
Legally required insurance
Employers' liability insurance is compulsory if you have employees. Failing to insure carries fines of up to £2,500 per day; failing to display or produce your certificate carries a fine of up to £1,000.
Employers' liability insurance
Minimum £5 million cover is required. Most policies provide £10 million. Cover must be from an authorised insurer.
Public liability insurance
Not legally required but essential for construction. Covers third-party injury or property damage. Most sites require contractors to have £2-10 million cover.
Trade registrations
Maintaining mandatory and voluntary registrations.
Gas Safe registration
Gas Safe registration must be renewed annually. Only work on the appliance types listed on your ID card. It's a criminal offence to do gas work without registration.
Electrical competent person schemes
NICEIC, NAPIT, and other Part P schemes allow self-certification of Building Regulations compliance. Annual assessments required to maintain membership.
F-Gas certification
Working on refrigeration, air conditioning, or heat pump systems containing F-gases requires F-Gas certification. Company certificates (such as REFCOM) are valid for 3 years and must be renewed; individual engineer qualifications are now subject to a 5-year revalidation cycle.
Records and documentation
What to keep and for how long.
Keep business records correctly
Record retention periods for tax, employment, health and safety, and contracts.