At a glance
What's here
319 compliance obligations, 26 practical guides across 2 topics · 11 journeys
Penalty landscape
290 of 319 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 29 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
-
Contractor
215
-
Client
53
-
Designer
27
-
Any Person
11
-
Director or Officer
6
-
Employer
4
-
Responsible Person
1
-
Operator
1
Plus 1 non-business duty on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
18 guides
Supporting — topic alignment
6 guides
Mentioned in related content
2 guides
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Contractors
also bound by 56 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Clients
also bound by 30 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Designers
also bound by 6 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Any Person
also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Directors and Officers
also bound by 224 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Employers
also bound by 171 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Responsible Persons
also bound by 56 other Acts (top 5 shown)
Operators
also bound by 125 other Acts (top 5 shown)
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Introduction
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 2 — Client duties
s.004
2 years imprisonment
-
Arrange, monitor and maintain health & safety for construction projects
Client
-
Manage construction project and ensure health and safety throughout
Client
-
Manage construction project health and safety throughout
Client
-
Manage construction project safely and keep health‑and‑safety information up‑to‑date
Client
-
Manage construction projects safely and provide required information
Client
-
Manage construction projects safely and provide site resources
Client
-
Manage construction project to ensure health & safety and provide required information
Client
-
Manage health and safety for construction projects
Client
-
Manage health and safety for the construction project
Client
-
Manage health and safety for your construction project
Client
-
Manage health and safety of construction project
Client
-
Manage health and safety of construction projects
Client
-
Manage health and safety throughout the construction project
Client
-
Manage health & safety of construction projects
Client
s.005
2 years imprisonment
-
Appoint a principal designer and principal contractor in writing
Client
-
Appoint principal designer and principal contractor in writing
Client
s.006
2 years imprisonment
-
Notify HSE (or appropriate authority) of notifiable construction projects
Client
-
Notify HSE (or relevant authority) of notifiable construction projects
Client
-
Notify HSE (or relevant authority) of notifiable construction projects before work starts
Client
-
Notify HSE (or relevant regulator) of notifiable construction projects
Client
-
Notify relevant authority of notifiable construction projects before work starts
Client
-
Notify the appropriate authority of notifiable construction projects
Client
-
Notify the relevant authority of notifiable construction projects
Client
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 3 — Health and safety duties and roles
s.008
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure competence of designers and contractors and cooperate on site safety
Client
-
Ensure competence and cooperation in construction projects
Director or Officer
-
Ensure competence and cooperation of all project parties
Client
-
Ensure competence and cooperation of designers and contractors
Client
-
Ensure competence and cooperation of designers, contractors and others
Any Person
-
Ensure competence and safe collaboration on construction projects
Contractor
-
Ensure competence and safe cooperation of designers and contractors
Any Person
-
Ensure competence before undertaking design or construction work
Employer
-
Ensure competence, cooperation and clear communication for health and safety
Any Person
-
Ensure competence, cooperation and clear communication on construction projects
Designer
-
Ensure competence, cooperation and clear information on construction projects
Designer
-
Ensure competence, cooperation and clear safety information on construction projects
Designer
-
Ensure competence, verification and safe communication for designers and contractors
Employer
-
Verify competence and ensure cooperation of designers and contractors
Client
s.009
2 years imprisonment
-
Design out health and safety risks in construction projects
Designer
-
Design safely and provide risk information to the principal designer
Designer
-
Design safely and share health‑and‑safety information
Designer
-
Design safely and supply health‑and‑safety information
Designer
-
Design safely and supply risk information for construction projects
Designer
-
Design safe structures and provide health‑and‑safety information
Designer
-
Design to eliminate/control risks and supply safety information
Designer
-
Design to eliminate or control health & safety risks
Designer
-
Design to eliminate or control health & safety risks and provide safety information
Designer
-
Design to remove or control foreseeable health and safety risks
Designer
-
Design with health & safety in mind and pass risk information
Designer
-
Eliminate or control fire risks in designs and share information
Designer
-
Eliminate or control health and safety risks in your designs
Designer
-
Eliminate or control safety risks through design
Designer
-
Identify and manage design risks and provide safety information
Designer
-
Integrate health and safety into designs and supply required information
Designer
-
Manage health & safety risks when designing construction projects
Designer
s.011
2 years imprisonment
-
Plan, manage and coordinate health & safety in pre‑construction
Designer
-
Plan, manage and monitor health and safety in pre‑construction
Designer
-
Plan, manage and monitor health and safety in the pre‑construction phase
Designer
-
Plan, manage and monitor health & safety in pre‑construction
Designer
-
Plan, manage and monitor health & safety in the pre‑construction phase
Designer
-
Plan, manage and monitor pre‑construction health and safety
Designer
-
Plan, manage and monitor pre‑construction health & safety
Designer
-
Principal designer: manage health and safety during pre-construction
Director or Officer
-
Principal designer: Plan and coordinate health and safety before construction
Director or Officer
s.012
2 years imprisonment
-
Create and keep up‑to‑date construction phase plan
Contractor
-
Create and maintain a construction phase plan and health and safety file
Director or Officer
-
Maintain construction phase plan and health & safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare and keep up‑date construction phase plan and health‑safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare and keep up‑to‑date a construction phase plan
Contractor
-
Prepare and keep up‑to‑date construction phase plan and health‑safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare and keep up to date the construction phase plan and health & safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare and maintain construction phase plan and health & safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare and maintain the construction phase plan
Contractor
-
Prepare, keep up‑to‑date and hand over construction phase plan and health‑safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare, maintain and hand over construction phase plan & safety file
Contractor
-
Prepare, maintain and update construction phase plan and health & safety file
Contractor
s.013
2 years imprisonment
-
Plan, manage and coordinate health and safety during construction
Director or Officer
-
Plan, manage and monitor construction health and safety
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor health and safety during construction
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor health & safety during construction
Contractor
s.014
2 years imprisonment
-
Consult and engage with construction workers on health and safety
Director or Officer
-
Consult and engage with workers on health and safety
Contractor
-
Consult and engage with workers on health & safety
Contractor
-
Consult and engage workers on health and safety
Contractor
-
Consult and engage workers on health, safety and welfare
Contractor
-
Consult and involve workers on health and safety
Contractor
s.015
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure health and safety of construction work
Contractor
-
Ensure health and safety throughout construction work
Contractor
-
Manage health and safety duties as a construction contractor
Contractor
-
Manage health and safety for construction work
Contractor
-
Manage health and safety on construction sites
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor construction work to protect health and safety
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor health and safety during construction
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor health and safety for construction work
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor health and safety on construction sites
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and monitor health & safety on construction sites
Contractor
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 4 — General requirements for all construction sites
s.016
2 years imprisonment
-
Apply Part 4 safety rules when working on a construction site
Contractor
-
Comply with CDM 2015 Part 4 health and safety requirements
Contractor
-
Comply with CDM Part 4 duties that apply to you
Contractor
-
Comply with CDM Part 4 health and safety requirements
Contractor
-
Comply with CDM Part 4 health & safety requirements
Employer
-
Comply with CDM Part 4 requirements for matters you control
Client
-
Comply with CDM Part 4 requirements on construction sites
Contractor
-
Comply with CDM Part 4 requirements relevant to your role
Contractor
-
Comply with construction site safety standards
Contractor
-
Comply with fire safety rules in Part 4
Contractor
-
Comply with Part 4 CDM duties on construction sites
Contractor
-
Comply with Part 4 health and safety requirements on construction sites
Employer
-
Comply with Part 4 requirements for construction work
Contractor
-
Comply with Part 4 rules for construction sites
Any Person
-
Follow Part 4 of the CDM Regulations for matters under your control
Contractor
s.017
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure construction sites are safe and have sufficient working space
Any Person
-
Ensure safe access, egress and working space on site
Contractor
-
Ensure the construction site is safe and has adequate access
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain safe access, egress and working space on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide safe access, egress and working space on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide safe access, egress and working space on site
Contractor
s.018
2 years imprisonment
-
Keep construction site clean, secure and free of hazardous protruding nails
Contractor
-
Keep construction site clean, secure and free of hazards
Contractor
-
Keep construction site orderly, clean and safe
Contractor
-
Keep construction site tidy, clean and clearly secured
Client
-
Keep construction site tidy, clean and secure
Contractor
-
Keep construction site tidy, secure and free of sharp hazards
Contractor
-
Keep site tidy, clearly marked and free of protruding nails
Contractor
-
Keep the construction site tidy, clean and securely marked
Contractor
-
Keep the construction site tidy, clearly marked and free of hazardous nails
Contractor
-
Keep the construction site tidy, clearly marked and free of protruding nails
Contractor
-
Maintain good order, cleanliness and safety on construction site
Contractor
-
Maintain good order, cleanliness and secure site boundaries
Contractor
-
Maintain good order, cleanliness and security on construction sites
Contractor
-
Maintain site order, cleanliness, and security
Contractor
-
Maintain site order, security and remove hazardous protruding nails
Contractor
s.019
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure stability of structures and temporary works
Contractor
-
Ensure stability of structures during construction
Contractor
-
Ensure structures don’t collapse and temporary supports are safe
Contractor
-
Ensure structures remain stable during construction
Contractor
-
Ensure structures remain stable during construction work
Contractor
-
Ensure structures stay stable and safe during construction
Contractor
-
Ensure structures stay stable during construction
Contractor
-
Ensure the stability of new and existing structures
Contractor
-
Keep structures stable and prevent collapse during construction
Contractor
-
Prevent collapse of structures and manage temporary works
Contractor
-
Prevent collapse of structures during construction
Contractor
-
Prevent collapse of structures during construction work
Contractor
s.020
2 years imprisonment
-
Plan and document demolition/dismantling safely
Contractor
-
Plan and document demolition/dismantling work safely
Contractor
-
Plan and document demolition work safely
Contractor
-
Plan and document safe demolition or dismantling
Contractor
-
Plan and document safe demolition or dismantling work
Contractor
-
Plan and document safe demolition work
Contractor
-
Plan and record demolition/dismantling safely
Contractor
-
Plan and record demolition or dismantling safety arrangements
Contractor
-
Plan and record safe demolition or dismantling
Client
-
Plan demolition safely and keep written arrangements
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and document demolition work safely
Contractor
-
Plan, manage and record demolition work safely
Contractor
s.021
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure safe storage and use of explosives on site
Responsible Person
-
Ensure safe storage, transport, and use of explosives
Contractor
-
Manage safe storage, transport and use of explosives
Contractor
-
Safely store, transport and use explosives
Contractor
-
Store, transport and use explosives safely
Contractor
-
Store, transport and use explosives safely and protect people
Contractor
-
Store, transport and use explosives safely and securely
Contractor
s.022
2 years imprisonment
-
Inspect excavations before each shift and after any incident
Contractor
-
Keep excavations safe and inspect before work
Contractor
-
Ensure excavation safety before and during work
Contractor
-
Ensure excavations are safe and inspected before work
Contractor
-
Ensure excavation stability and safety
Contractor
-
Ensure safe excavations and carry out inspections
Contractor
-
Ensure safe excavations and carry out required inspections
Client
-
Ensure safe excavations and inspect before work starts
Contractor
-
Ensure safe excavations and obtain competent inspections
Contractor
-
Ensure safe excavation works and carry out required inspections
Contractor
-
Ensure safety and prevent collapses during excavation work
Contractor
-
Ensure safety of excavations and carry out required inspections
Contractor
-
Keep excavations safe and regularly inspected
Contractor
-
Prevent collapse and falling material in excavations
Contractor
-
Prevent excavation collapse and ensure competent inspection
Contractor
-
Secure excavations and inspect before work starts
Contractor
s.023
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safe and inspected regularly
Contractor
-
Ensure safe design, maintenance and inspection of cofferdams and caissons
Contractor
-
Inspect and maintain cofferdams and caissons before use
Contractor
-
Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safe and inspected before use
Contractor
-
Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safe before use
Contractor
-
Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safe for use
Contractor
-
Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safely designed, inspected and maintained
Client
-
Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safe to use
Contractor
-
Ensure safe design, equipment, maintenance and inspection of cofferdams/caissons
Contractor
-
Ensure safe design, inspection and use of cofferdams and caissons
Contractor
-
Ensure safe design, maintenance and inspection of cofferdams/caissons
Contractor
s.024
2 years imprisonment
-
Keep and provide inspection reports for construction work
Client
-
Keep and provide inspection reports to HSE
Client
-
Keep inspection reports and make them available to HSE
Client
-
Keep inspection reports for HSE review
Client
-
Keep inspection reports on site and give copies to HSE on request
Client
-
Keep inspection reports on site and provide them to HSE on request
Client
-
Maintain and provide inspection reports for construction work
Client
-
Report and record site inspection safety risks
Any Person
-
Retain and make inspection reports available to HSE
Client
-
Keep and provide inspection reports for demolition/dismantling work
Client
-
Keep and share inspection reports with HSE
Client
-
Keep and supply inspection risk reports
Client
-
Prepare and keep inspection reports for unsafe construction work
Client
-
Prepare and keep records of unsafe site inspections
Any Person
-
Prepare and retain inspection reports for fire safety inspections
Any Person
-
Prepare, submit and keep inspection reports for unsafe work
Contractor
-
Prepare, supply and retain inspection reports for unsafe work
Client
s.025
2 years imprisonment
-
Control risks from overhead and underground energy installations
Contractor
-
Ensure safe handling of energy distribution installations
Contractor
-
Manage energy distribution installations on construction sites
Contractor
-
Manage risks from energy distribution installations on site
Contractor
-
Manage risks from overhead and underground energy installations on construction sites
Contractor
-
Manage safety of energy distribution installations
Contractor
-
Manage safety of energy distribution installations on site
Contractor
-
Safeguard against hazards from energy distribution and overhead power lines
Contractor
-
Safely manage energy distribution and overhead/underground services
Contractor
s.026
2 years imprisonment
-
Prevent drowning and ensure safe water transport on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent drowning and ensure safe water transport on site
Contractor
-
Prevent drowning and provide rescue equipment on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent drowning and provide rescue equipment on site
Contractor
-
Prevent drowning and provide rescue measures on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent drowning on construction sites
Any Person
-
Prevent drowning risk in construction work near water
Client
-
Prevent drowning risks and provide rescue equipment on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent drowning risks on construction sites
Contractor
s.027
2 years imprisonment
-
Design and maintain safe traffic routes on construction sites
Contractor
-
Ensure safe traffic routes for pedestrians and vehicles
Contractor
-
Ensure safe traffic routes for pedestrians and vehicles on site
Contractor
-
Ensure safe traffic routes on construction sites
Contractor
-
Organise and maintain safe traffic routes on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide safe, clearly sign‑posted traffic routes on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide safe traffic routes for site pedestrians and vehicles
Contractor
-
Provide safe traffic routes on construction sites
Contractor
s.028
2 years imprisonment
-
Control and operate construction vehicles safely
Contractor
-
Control and use vehicles safely on construction sites
Contractor
-
Control vehicle movement and ensure safe use on construction sites
Contractor
-
Control vehicle movement and ensure safe use on site
Contractor
-
Control vehicle movement and protect people on site
Contractor
-
Ensure safe use and control of construction vehicles
Contractor
-
Ensure safe use and control of vehicles on construction sites
Client
-
Ensure safe use of vehicles on construction sites
Contractor
-
Ensure safe vehicle operation and prevent site movement accidents
Operator
-
Manage vehicle safety on construction sites
Contractor
s.029
2 years imprisonment
-
Prevent fire, flood and asphyxiation on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent fire, flood and asphyxiation risks during construction
Contractor
-
Prevent fire, flood and asphyxiation risks on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent fire, flood and asphyxiation risks on construction work
Client
-
Prevent fire, flooding and asphyxiation risks on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent fire, flooding and asphyxiation risks on site
Contractor
-
Prevent fire, flood or asphyxiation risks on construction sites
Contractor
-
Prevent fire, flood or asphyxiation risks on site
Contractor
-
Prevent risks from fire, flooding, and asphyxiation on site
Any Person
s.030
2 years imprisonment
-
Arrange and test emergency procedures on construction sites
Contractor
-
Create and maintain emergency and evacuation procedures
Contractor
-
Develop and maintain emergency procedures for construction sites
Contractor
-
Establish and maintain emergency procedures for construction sites
Client
-
Establish and test emergency and evacuation procedures for construction sites
Contractor
-
Prepare and maintain emergency procedures for construction sites
Contractor
-
Prepare and maintain emergency procedures for the construction site
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain emergency procedures on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide and test emergency procedures on construction site
Contractor
-
Put in place and test emergency procedures for construction sites
Contractor
-
Put in place and test emergency procedures on construction sites
Contractor
-
Put in place and test emergency procedures on the construction site
Contractor
-
Put in place, train on and regularly test emergency procedures
Contractor
s.031
2 years imprisonment
-
Provide and keep clear emergency routes and exits
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain adequate emergency routes and exits
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain clear emergency routes and exits
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain clear, signed emergency routes and exits
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain emergency routes and exits on site
Client
-
Provide and maintain safe emergency routes and exits
Contractor
-
Provide clear, unobstructed emergency routes and exits
Contractor
s.032
2 years imprisonment
-
Provide and maintain fire detection and fighting equipment
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain fire detection and fire-fighting equipment
Any Person
-
Provide and maintain fire detection and firefighting equipment
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain fire‑fighting equipment and alarms
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain fire‑fighting equipment and alarms on site
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain fire detection and fighting equipment on site
Contractor
-
Provide and maintain fire detection, fighting equipment and training
Contractor
-
Provide, maintain and train for fire detection and fire‑fighting
Contractor
s.033
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure sufficient fresh air and ventilation on construction sites
Contractor
-
Ensure construction sites have sufficient fresh air
Contractor
-
Ensure sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation on site
Client
-
Ensure sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation plant
Contractor
-
Provide adequate fresh air and safe ventilation on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide adequate fresh air and safe ventilation plant on site
Contractor
-
Provide adequate fresh air and ventilation on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and alarm‑equipped ventilation on site
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and alarm for ventilation plant failures
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation plant
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation plant on site
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and warning‑enabled plant on site
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and warn of plant failures
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air and warn of ventilation plant failure
Contractor
-
Provide sufficient fresh air on construction sites
Contractor
s.034
2 years imprisonment
-
Ensure reasonable indoor temperature and protect outdoor workers from bad weather
Contractor
-
Ensure reasonable indoor temperature and protect workers from adverse weather
Contractor
-
Ensure reasonable temperature and protect workers from bad weather
Contractor
-
Maintain reasonable indoor temperature and protect workers from bad weather
Contractor
-
Maintain reasonable temperature and protect workers from adverse weather
Contractor
-
Maintain reasonable temperature and weather protection on site
Contractor
-
Provide reasonable indoor temperature and outdoor weather protection
Contractor
-
Provide reasonable indoor temperature and protect workers from adverse weather
Contractor
-
Provide reasonable indoor temperatures and weather protection on site
Client
-
Provide reasonable temperature and weather protection
Contractor
-
Provide reasonable temperature and weather protection on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide reasonable temperature and weather protection on site
Contractor
-
Provide temperature and weather protection for workers
Contractor
s.035
2 years imprisonment
-
Provide suitable lighting and emergency backup on site
Contractor
-
Provide adequate lighting for construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide adequate lighting for construction sites and routes
Contractor
-
Provide adequate lighting on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide suitable and sufficient lighting on construction sites
Contractor
-
Provide suitable lighting and backup lighting on site
Contractor
-
Provide suitable lighting for construction site and traffic routes
Contractor
-
Provide suitable lighting for construction sites and routes
Contractor
-
Provide suitable lighting for the construction site and routes
Client
-
Provide suitable lighting on construction sites
Contractor
Part 5 — General
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
-
Secretary of State must review and report on CDM Regulations every five years
Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Schedules
Browse 2 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Health and Safety Executive
Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates …
Explore more
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.