Our no-nonsense guide to Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015, featuring top FAQs…

Ready? Let’s go…

What is the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015?

First, let’s call it CDM 2015 for short. It’ll make it less intimidating. It’s a set of rules created to improve health and safety in the construction industry. That’s got to be a good thing.

Really? More red tape?

Complying with CDM 2015 will keep you, your business and your people on site safe.

What if I don’t do anything about it?

Then the HSE can come down on you like a ton of bricks (pardon the pun). Construction is still one of the most dangerous professions and keeping safe is a serious business. Or to put in another way, failure to comply with requirements under CDM 2015 will remain a criminal offence punishable with unlimited fines and, for individuals, imprisonment.

I’m only doing a small job, do I still have to do it?

Yes, you do. Anyone engaged in any kind of construction project needs to comply. This covers repairs, installations and refurbishments. Projects large and small, from start to finish, commercial or domestic, contracted directly or subcontracted by another. Fitting a kitchen? Yes, you need to comply with CDM 2015. Loft conversion? Yes, you do.

What do I have to do?

You need to create the Construction Phase Plan, you need to organise the work and also make sure that the appropriate health & safety procedures are in place. If you’re the only business working on the project, then you’ll be taking on more than one role. On a larger project the roles can be split up.

What roles are there?

Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the roles:

Principal Designer

This is the business or person responsible for the planning phase before any construction begins. In a nutshell, they need to:

• Use risk prevention in their design to minimise risks to contractors, workers and end users.
• Eliminate, reduce or control risks through their design
• Provide design information to others working on the project.

Principal Contractor

This is the business or person who manages and co-ordinates the construction part of the project. They need to:

• Communicate with the principal designer about any changes to the design
• Keep and update a health and safety file
• Draw up a Construction Phase Plan (CPP)
• Ensure any subcontractors are familiar with the CPP

What is this CPP you’re talking about?

It’s a document that needs to be compiled by the Principal Contractor and is required for all construction projects, regardless of size and duration. It sets out the arrangements for securing Health & Safety on the construction site.

Sounds like it’ll take ages to create – more red tape!

It certainly can take a while. It’s an important document though, and it’s essential to comply with CDM 2015. You need it to help keep you, and everyone on site, safe.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Ohutu has been created to take the headache out of creating your CPP. Simply add in the details of your project and we’ll create your CPP for you. Easy!

There’s absolutely no risk in trying it, because your first project is entirely free. Give it a go today…