UK Statutory Instrument SI 2015 United Kingdom

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

These Regulations revoke and re-enact, with modifications, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/320) (the “2007 Regulations”). They implement in Great Britain the requirements of Directive 92/57/EEC (OJ No L245, 26.8.92, p6) (“the Directive”) on the implementation of minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction …

Enforced by
HSE
Status
In Force
Penalty ceiling
Imprisonment 155 of 180 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 25 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Contractor114 Client32 Designer19 Any Person7 Employer3 Director or Officer2 Responsible Person1 Operator1

Plus 1 duty on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Contractor — also bound by 173 other Acts
Client — also bound by 62 other Acts
Designer — also bound by 13 other Acts
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Employer — also bound by 682 other Acts
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
Responsible Person — also bound by 108 other Acts
Operator — also bound by 746 other Acts

What it requires

Regulations creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Introduction

0 of 3 sections shown
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.002 Interpretation
s.003 Application in and outside Great Britain
Part 2

Client duties

4 of 4 sections shown
s.004 Client duties in relation to managing projects (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Arrange, monitor and maintain health & safety for construction projectsClient
  • Manage construction project and ensure health and safety throughoutClient
  • Manage construction project safely and keep health‑and‑safety information up‑to‑dateClient
  • Manage construction projects safely and provide site resourcesClient
  • Manage construction project to ensure health & safety and provide required informationClient
  • Manage health and safety throughout the construction projectClient
s.005 Appointment of the principal designer and the principal contractor (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Appoint a principal designer and principal contractor in writingClient
s.006 Notification (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Notify HSE (or relevant authority) of notifiable construction projects before work startsClient
s.007 Application to domestic clients (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Domestic clients: your duties pass to the contractor or principal designerClient
Part 3

Health and safety duties and roles

8 of 8 sections shown
s.008 General duties (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure competence of designers and contractors and cooperate on site safetyClient
  • Ensure competence and cooperation of all project partiesClient
  • Ensure competence and cooperation of designers, contractors and othersAny Person
  • Ensure competence and safe collaboration on construction projectsContractor
  • Ensure competence before undertaking design or construction workEmployer
  • Ensure competence, cooperation and clear communication for health and safetyAny Person
  • Ensure competence, cooperation and clear safety information on construction projectsDesigner
  • Ensure competence, verification and safe communication for designers and contractorsEmployer
s.009 Duties of designers (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Design out health and safety risks in construction projectsDesigner
  • Design safely and provide risk information to the principal designerDesigner
  • Design safely and supply health‑and‑safety informationDesigner
  • Design safely and supply risk information for construction projectsDesigner
  • Design safe structures and provide health‑and‑safety informationDesigner
  • Design to eliminate/control risks and supply safety informationDesigner
  • Design to eliminate or control health & safety risksDesigner
  • Design to eliminate or control health & safety risks and provide safety informationDesigner
  • Design to remove or control foreseeable health and safety risksDesigner
  • Design with health & safety in mind and pass risk informationDesigner
  • Eliminate or control fire risks in designs and share informationDesigner
  • Eliminate or control health and safety risks in your designsDesigner
  • Eliminate or control safety risks through designDesigner
  • Identify and manage design risks and provide safety informationDesigner
  • Integrate health and safety into designs and supply required informationDesigner
  • Manage health & safety risks when designing construction projectsDesigner
s.010 Designs prepared or modified outside Great Britain (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Ensure overseas-prepared designs meet UK designer safety dutiesClient
s.011 Duties of a principal designer in relation to health and safety at the pre-construction phase (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Plan, manage and monitor health and safety in the pre‑construction phaseDesigner
  • Plan, manage and monitor pre‑construction health and safetyDesigner
  • Principal designer: manage health and safety during pre-constructionDirector or Officer
  • Principal designer: Plan and coordinate health and safety before constructionDirector or Officer
s.012 Construction phase plan and health and safety file (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Prepare and keep up‑to‑date a construction phase planContractor
  • Prepare and maintain the construction phase planContractor
  • Prepare, keep up‑to‑date and hand over construction phase plan and health‑safety fileContractor
  • Prepare, maintain and hand over construction phase plan & safety fileContractor
  • Prepare, maintain and update construction phase plan and health & safety fileContractor
s.013 Duties of a principal contractor in relation to health and safety at the construction phase (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Plan, manage and monitor construction health and safetyContractor
  • Plan, manage and monitor health and safety during constructionContractor
s.014 Principal contractor's duties to consult and engage with workers (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Consult and engage with workers on health and safetyContractor
  • Consult and engage workers on health, safety and welfareContractor
s.015 Duties of contractors (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure health and safety throughout construction workContractor
  • Manage health and safety duties as a construction contractorContractor
  • Plan, manage and monitor construction work to protect health and safetyContractor
  • Plan, manage and monitor health and safety on construction sitesContractor
Part 4

General requirements for all construction sites

20 of 20 sections shown
s.016 Application of Part 4 (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Apply Part 4 safety rules when working on a construction siteContractor
  • Comply with CDM 2015 Part 4 health and safety requirementsContractor
  • Comply with CDM Part 4 duties that apply to youContractor
  • Comply with CDM Part 4 requirements for matters you controlClient
  • Comply with CDM Part 4 requirements on construction sitesContractor
  • Comply with CDM Part 4 requirements relevant to your roleContractor
  • Comply with construction site safety standardsContractor
  • Comply with fire safety rules in Part 4Contractor
  • Comply with Part 4 CDM duties on construction sitesContractor
  • Comply with Part 4 health and safety requirements on construction sitesEmployer
  • Follow Part 4 of the CDM Regulations for matters under your controlContractor
s.017 Safe places of construction work (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure construction sites are safe and have sufficient working spaceAny Person
  • Ensure the construction site is safe and has adequate accessContractor
  • Provide and maintain safe access, egress and working space on construction sitesContractor
  • Provide safe access, egress and working space on siteContractor
s.018 Good order and site security (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Keep construction site clean, secure and free of hazardous protruding nailsContractor
  • Keep construction site tidy, clean and clearly securedClient
  • Keep the construction site tidy, clean and securely markedContractor
  • Keep the construction site tidy, clearly marked and free of protruding nailsContractor
  • Maintain good order, cleanliness and secure site boundariesContractor
  • Maintain good order, cleanliness and security on construction sitesContractor
  • Maintain site order, cleanliness, and securityContractor
  • Maintain site order, security and remove hazardous protruding nailsContractor
s.019 Stability of structures (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure stability of structures and temporary worksContractor
  • Ensure stability of structures during constructionContractor
  • Ensure structures don’t collapse and temporary supports are safeContractor
  • Ensure structures remain stable during construction workContractor
  • Ensure structures stay stable and safe during constructionContractor
  • Ensure the stability of new and existing structuresContractor
  • Keep structures stable and prevent collapse during constructionContractor
  • Prevent collapse of structures and manage temporary worksContractor
  • Prevent collapse of structures during construction workContractor
s.020 Demolition or dismantling (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Plan and document demolition/dismantling safelyContractor
  • Plan and document safe demolition or dismantling workContractor
  • Plan and document safe demolition workContractor
  • Plan and record demolition or dismantling safety arrangementsContractor
  • Plan demolition safely and keep written arrangementsContractor
s.021 Explosives (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure safe storage and use of explosives on siteResponsible Person
  • Manage safe storage, transport and use of explosivesContractor
  • Safely store, transport and use explosivesContractor
  • Store, transport and use explosives safely and securelyContractor
s.022 Excavations (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Inspect excavations before each shift and after any incidentContractor
  • Ensure excavation safety before and during workContractor
  • Ensure excavations are safe and inspected before workContractor
  • Ensure excavation stability and safetyContractor
  • Ensure safe excavations and inspect before work startsContractor
  • Ensure safe excavations and obtain competent inspectionsContractor
  • Ensure safety and prevent collapses during excavation workContractor
  • Ensure safety of excavations and carry out required inspectionsContractor
  • Keep excavations safe and regularly inspectedContractor
  • Prevent collapse and falling material in excavationsContractor
  • Prevent excavation collapse and ensure competent inspectionContractor
s.023 Cofferdams and caissons (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Inspect and maintain cofferdams and caissons before useContractor
  • Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safe and inspected before useContractor
  • Ensure cofferdams and caissons are safely designed, inspected and maintainedContractor
  • Ensure safe design, equipment, maintenance and inspection of cofferdams/caissonsContractor
  • Ensure safe design, inspection and use of cofferdams and caissonsContractor
s.024 Reports of inspections (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Keep and provide inspection reports to HSEClient
  • Keep inspection reports and make them available to HSEClient
  • Keep inspection reports for HSE reviewClient
  • Keep inspection reports on site and provide them to HSE on requestClient
  • Maintain and provide inspection reports for construction workClient
  • Report and record site inspection safety risksAny Person
  • Retain and make inspection reports available to HSEClient
  • Keep and provide inspection reports for demolition/dismantling workClient
  • Keep and supply inspection risk reportsClient
  • Prepare and keep inspection reports for unsafe construction workClient
  • Prepare and keep records of unsafe site inspectionsAny Person
  • Prepare and retain inspection reports for fire safety inspectionsAny Person
  • Prepare, supply and retain inspection reports for unsafe workClient
s.025 Energy distribution installations (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Control risks from overhead and underground energy installationsContractor
  • Ensure safe handling of energy distribution installationsContractor
  • Manage energy distribution installations on construction sitesContractor
  • Manage risks from energy distribution installations on siteContractor
  • Manage risks from overhead and underground energy installations on construction sitesContractor
  • Manage safety of energy distribution installationsContractor
  • Safeguard against hazards from energy distribution and overhead power linesContractor
  • Safely manage energy distribution and overhead/underground servicesContractor
s.026 Prevention of drowning (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Prevent drowning and ensure safe water transport on construction sitesContractor
  • Prevent drowning risk in construction work near waterClient
  • Prevent drowning risks and provide rescue equipment on construction sitesContractor
  • Prevent drowning risks on construction sitesContractor
s.027 Traffic routes (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure safe traffic routes for pedestrians and vehicles on siteContractor
  • Organise and maintain safe traffic routes on construction sitesContractor
  • Provide safe, clearly sign‑posted traffic routes on construction sitesContractor
  • Provide safe traffic routes on construction sitesContractor
s.028 Vehicles (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Control and operate construction vehicles safelyContractor
  • Control and use vehicles safely on construction sitesContractor
  • Control vehicle movement and ensure safe use on construction sitesContractor
  • Control vehicle movement and protect people on siteContractor
  • Ensure safe use and control of construction vehiclesContractor
  • Ensure safe use and control of vehicles on construction sitesContractor
  • Ensure safe vehicle operation and prevent site movement accidentsOperator
  • Manage vehicle safety on construction sitesContractor
s.029 Prevention of risk from fire, flooding or asphyxiation (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Prevent fire, flooding and asphyxiation risks on construction sitesContractor
  • Prevent risks from fire, flooding, and asphyxiation on siteAny Person
s.030 Emergency procedures (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Create and maintain emergency and evacuation proceduresContractor
  • Establish and test emergency and evacuation procedures for construction sitesContractor
  • Prepare and maintain emergency procedures for the construction siteContractor
  • Put in place and test emergency procedures on the construction siteContractor
  • Put in place, train on and regularly test emergency proceduresContractor
s.031 Emergency routes and exits (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Provide and maintain clear, signed emergency routes and exitsContractor
  • Provide clear, unobstructed emergency routes and exitsContractor
s.032 Fire detection and fire-fighting (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Provide and maintain fire‑fighting equipment and alarms on siteContractor
  • Provide and maintain fire detection, fighting equipment and trainingContractor
  • Provide, maintain and train for fire detection and fire‑fightingContractor
s.033 Fresh air (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure construction sites have sufficient fresh airContractor
  • Ensure sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation on siteClient
  • Provide sufficient fresh air and alarm‑equipped ventilation on siteContractor
  • Provide sufficient fresh air and alarm for ventilation plant failuresContractor
  • Provide sufficient fresh air and safe ventilation on construction sitesContractor
  • Provide sufficient fresh air and warning‑enabled plant on siteContractor
  • Provide sufficient fresh air and warn of plant failuresContractor
  • Provide sufficient fresh air on construction sitesContractor
s.034 Temperature and weather protection (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Ensure reasonable indoor temperature and protect outdoor workers from bad weatherContractor
  • Provide reasonable indoor temperatures and weather protection on siteClient
  • Provide reasonable temperature and weather protection on construction sitesContractor
  • Provide temperature and weather protection for workersContractor
s.035 Lighting (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Provide suitable lighting and emergency backup on siteContractor
  • Provide suitable and sufficient lighting on construction sitesContractor
  • Provide suitable lighting and backup lighting on siteContractor
  • Provide suitable lighting for the construction site and routesClient
Part 5

General

1 of 4 sections shown
s.039 Review (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must review and report on CDM Regulations every five yearsCrown / Minister / Government department
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Schedules

Schedules

6 of 40 shown
s.sch001 A declaration signed by or on behalf of the client... Regulated
  • Sign and submit a declaration of awareness of client dutiesClient
s.sch004 Projects with no existing CDM co-ordinator or principal contractor Regulated
  • Appoint a principal contractor in writing for existing construction projects (transitional rule)Client
s.sch004 Projects with an existing CDM co-ordinator Regulated
  • Appoint a principal designer in writing by 6 October 2015Client
s.sch004 Duties of CDM co-ordinator during transitional period Regulated
  • Fulfil CDM co-ordinator duties during transitional periodContractor
s.sch004 Duties disapplied pending appointment of principal designer Regulated
  • Fulfil principal designer duties yourself if you fail to appoint oneClient
s.sch004 Projects with only one contractor Regulated
  • Draw up a construction phase plan for your single-contractor projectContractor
34 other schedules
s.sch001 The date of forwarding the notice.
s.sch001 The planned duration of the construction phase.
s.sch001 The estimated maximum number of people at work on the...
s.sch001 The planned number of contractors on the construction site.
s.sch001 The name and address of any contractor already appointed.
s.sch001 The name and address of any designer already appointed.
s.sch001 The address of the construction site or precise description of...
s.sch001 The name of the local authority where the construction site...
s.sch001 A brief description of the project and the construction work...
s.sch001 The following contact details of the client: name, address, telephone...
s.sch001 The following contact details of the principal designer: name, address,...
s.sch001 The following contact details of the principal contractor: name, address,...
s.sch001 The date planned for the start of the construction phase....
s.sch001 The time allocated by the client under regulation 4(1) for...
s.sch002 Sanitary conveniences
s.sch002 Washing facilities
s.sch002 Drinking water
s.sch002 Changing rooms and lockers
s.sch002 Facilities for rest
s.sch003 Work which puts workers at risk of burial under earthfalls,...
s.sch003 Work involving the assembly or dismantling of heavy prefabricated components....
s.sch003 Work which puts workers at risk from chemical or biological...
s.sch003 Work with ionizing radiation requiring the designation of controlled or...
s.sch003 Work near high voltage power lines.
s.sch003 Work exposing workers to the risk of drowning.
s.sch003 Work on wells, underground earthworks and tunnels.
s.sch003 Work carried out by divers having a system of air...
s.sch003 Work carried out by workers in caissons with a compressed...
s.sch003 Work involving the use of explosives.
s.sch004 In this Schedule— “CDM co-ordinator” means a person appointed under...
s.sch004 These Regulations apply to a relevant project with the modifications...
s.sch004 Savings

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

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Appoint a Principal Contractor

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Appoint a Principal Designer

Your duty as a construction client to appoint a Principal Designer when your project will involve more than one contractor. Covers who …

CDM 2015: your duties as a construction client

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CSCS Card Requirements

Get a CSCS card to demonstrate construction skills competence and access construction sites.

Comply with CDM Regulations for construction projects

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Construction Site Health and Safety

Essential health and safety requirements for construction sites including work at height, asbestos, manual handling, and PPE.

Crane and lifting operations for structural work

LOLER 1998 requirements for crane and lifting operations on construction sites. Covers appointed persons, lift planning, thorough examination intervals, and competency requirements …

Create a construction phase plan

How to prepare a construction phase plan under CDM 2015 Regulation 12. Covers what must be included, when it must be ready, …

18 more guides that reference this instrument

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.