CDM 2015
Providing practical, user-friendly Health & Safety advice under the CDM 2015 legislationCDM 2015 applies to all building and construction projects, regardless of the size, duration and nature of the work.
Its aim is to make Health & Safety an essential and integral part of the design, planning and management of any project. To identify, eliminate or control, as far as is practical, risk to the health and safety of any person working on the construction, affected by it or who will use or maintain the structure once completed.
The main features of CDM 2015 include:
- The introduction of a Principal Designer (in place of a CDM Coordinator)
- Strengthening of Client duties;
- Introduction of Domestic Clients;
- Principal Designer and Principal Contractor required on all projects where there is more than one contractor working on the project;
- Replacement of explicit requirement for duty holder competence with the need for appropriate information, instruction, training & supervision;
- Change to the HSE’s Notification level .
To help you get a better understanding of the regulations scroll down to see the answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions
Daniel Connal Partnership has worked on projects ranging from minor refurbishments through to major construction projects within the retail, health, education, historic building and civil engineering sectors. We have managed the health and safety on over 2,000 projects ranging in value from £30,000 to over £10 million in locations across the UK
With our extensive design and health & safety experience and expertise we are ideally placed to both meet the challenges of these roles and provide expert advice to those undertaking them for themselves.
CDM 2015 Advisor
As CDM 2015 Advisors we offer the following services:
- CDM 2015 Client Advisor – helping them to fulfil their duties
- Principal Designer
- CDM 2015 Advisor to Principal Designer
- CDM 2015 Advisor to Contractors
- CDM 2015 Training
For further information and advice on all our CDM 2015 services contact:
Jon Rensink: 01206 751284
John Read: 01603 629421
Simon Jacklin: 0207 375 2535
Jason Froude: 0207 375 2535


FAQs
When does CDM 2015 apply?
On those projects where there will be more than one contractor/ trade, (or where it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be working on a project at any time) the client must appoint, in writing, a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.
When do I need to appoint a Principal Designer/Principal Contractor?
What is the legal implication of the Client not appointing a Principal Designer or Principal Contractor?
What if no Designer will accept the role of Principal Designer and no Contractor will accept the role of Principal Contractor?
What does the Principal Designer do?
What if a designer does not manage significant risks adequately?
Who can be a Principal Designer?
“Designer” means “…any person (including a client, contractor or other person referred to in these Regulations) who in the course or furtherance of a business…prepares or modifies a design; or…arranges for, or instructs, any person under their control to do so, relating to a structure, or to a product or mechanical or electrical system intended for a particular structure, and a person is deemed to prepare a design where a design is prepared by a person under their control;” and
“design” includes “…drawings, design details, specifications and bills of quantities (including specification of articles or substances) relating to a structure, and calculations prepared for the purpose of a design;”
In the case of a Design & Build Scheme, is the Principal Designer the same as the architect appointed by the Principal Contractor? If so, how does the Client appoint them if they are a subcontractor of the builder?
On Design & Build (D&B) Schemes where there will be more than one contractor working on a project, the D&B Contractor should be appointed as both the Principal Contractor and Principal Designer, as the Principal Contractor is in charge of co-ordinating the design and employs the design team.
The Principal Designer drawing up the “Employer’s Requirements” would need to hand over the role of Principal Designer upon the appointment of the D&B contractor. This will ensure that the D&B contractor remains in control of the full scope of the works for which they have been contracted.
Do I still need to notify HSE of Construction Work?
Do the CDM 2015 regulations require competence checks to be carried out?
How do I establish whether a Principal Designer has the necessary qualifications and/or experience to fulfil the role?
Can organisations hire/appoint external consultants to assist them in fulfilling their duties required by the Regulations?
Many Clients and design organisations are utilising the skills and experience of former CDM Co-ordinators. Those they appoint can either provide advice or carry out specific tasks on their behalf. This does not absolve the duty holder of liability but those they employ are expected to exercise due skill, care and diligence in their work.
Is a Construction Phase Plan still required?
If the Client has arranged a term contract, which includes planned and responsive maintenance, is a notification form F10 and a Construction Phase Plan required?
CDM 2015 Client Advisor
The role of the Client has been strengthened considerably under CDM 2015.
Their duties are wide ranging and include ensuring that other duty holders are appointed, that the functions and responsibilities of the project team are clear and that the people and organisations they appoint have the necessary skill, knowledge and experience to manage health and safety risks.
They are also responsible for ensuring adequate communication, co-operation and co-ordination within the project team and for the provision of relevant information to other duty holders.
As CDM 2015 Client Advisor we will assist with the Client’s duties under Regulations 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the CDM Regulations 2015, by providing the following services:
- Assist with the preparation of a Client’s brief
- Submit the Notification Form F10 to HSE if required
- Assist with the appointment of competent duty holders
- Assist with the collation of Pre-Construction Information and highlight the need for any additional required information
- Monitor and provide feedback of Principal Contractor compliance with their duties under Regulations 12 to 14
- Monitor and provide feedback of Principal Designer is compliance with their duties under Regulations 11 and 12
- Confirm that a suitable Construction Phase Plan is in place to allow commencement of works on site
- Confirm that suitable welfare facilities are in place to allow commencement of works on site.
- Assist the Principal Designer with a suitable template for the Health & Safety File
For further information and advice on our CDM 2015 Client Advisor services please contact:
Jon Rensink: 01206 751284
Simon Jacklin: 0207 375 2535
John Read: 01603 629421
Jason Froude: 0207 375 2535
CDM 2015 – Principal Designer
Daniel Connal Partnership can undertake the role of Principal Designer on your project.
Our Principal Designer will provide the following services ensuring compliance with Regulations 11 & 12 of CDM 2015
- Plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase
- Co-ordinate matters relating to health & safety to avoid risk
- Take into account the general principles of prevention
- Identify, eliminate or control, so far as is reasonably practicable, foreseeable risks to the health & safety of any person
- carrying out or liable to be affected by construction work
- maintaining or cleaning a structure
- Ensure all designers comply with their duties and co-operate with each other (Regulations 9 CDM 2015: Duties of Designers
- Assist the Client in providing the Pre-Construction Information
- Provide Pre-Construction information to designers, Principal Contractor and contractors
- Liaise with the Principal Contractor for the duration of his/her appointment
- Prepare the Health & Safety File
For further information and advice on our CDM Principal Designer service please contact:
Jonathan Rensink: 01206 751284
John Read: 01603 280724
Simon Jacklin: 0207 375 2535
Jason Froude: 0207 375 2535
CDM 2015 Advisor to Principal Designer
The Principal Designer’s duties include identifying and controlling risks, assisting the Client in the production of Pre-Construction Information and the preparation of the Health and Safety File.
- The CDM 2015 Advisor to Principal Designer will undertake the following duties:-
- Advise the project team of the duty holder’s responsibilities
- Assist in the appointment of competent designers and contractors
- Co-ordinate the design risk management process throughout the Design Phase
- Establish systems to check designers’ duty compliance
- Advise on the suitability of project documentation and identify additional relevant information for inclusion in the Pre-Construction Information Pack
- Ensure that HSE is notified as appropriate
- Prepare the Health & Safety File prior to commencement of works, for ongoing review between the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor
- Assist Principal Contractor with development of the Construction Phase Plan & confirm that it is in place prior to commencement of the works
For further information and advice about our CDM 2015 Advisor to the Principal Designer service please contact:
Jon Rensink: 01206 751284
John Read: 01603 629421
Simon Jacklin: 0207 375 2535
Jason Froude: 0207 375 2535
CDM 2015 Advisor to Principal Contractor/Contractors
A Principal Contractor will be required for all projects with more than one ‘trade’ contractor on site. The Principal Contractor’s duties include the planning management and co-ordination of the construction phase of a project.
Our CDM 2015 Advisor can assist the Principal Contractor/Contractors with their duties under CDM 2015 for both commercial and domestic projects:-
- Assist Principal Contractor/Contractors on fulfilling the Client’s duties on domestic projects
- Assist with preparation/or prepare on the Contractor’s behalf, the Construction Phase Plan
- Assist with preparation/or prepare on the Contractor’s behalf a site induction
- Provide guidance on suitable welfare facilities
- Provide guidance on additional pre-construction information required from Clients
- Assist with collation & Completion of Health and Safety File
- Provide guidance and assistance to the Principal Contractor with their duties to plan, manage, monitor and co-ordinate work during Pre-Construction and Construction Phase
- Assist Principal Contractor to ensure that:
- Individuals appointed have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience and
- Companies have the organisational capability to work in a way that secures health & safety
- Assist Principal Contractor to ensure co-operation between contractors so that risk is managed effectively
- Establish whether training is necessary
- Provide:
- Active Monitoring – Carry out Site Safety Inspections, including routine checks of site access, work areas, plant, equipment and health risk management
- Reactive Assistance – Assist with investigation of ‘near-miss’ incidents and injuries, monitor cases of ill health
For further information and to discuss how we can help you please contact:
Jon Rensink: 01206 751284
Robert Dale: 01603 629421
Accidents will happen …. ?
Reduce the odds with one of our accredited safety training courses
The Construction Industry is still widely recognised as one of the most dangerous for workers. Almost every conceivable hazard exists within this ever changing work environment.
Major accidents make the news headlines but minor accidents also occur everyday. Unguarded saws, unstable ladders, heavy loads, naked flame, hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery, can all add up to ‘an accident waiting to happen’. Without the benefit of expert training, the chances are that, sooner or later, it will.
DCP Training Courses
At DCP we believe that training is important. It isn’t just about formal ‘classroom’ courses and obtaining certificates. It is about imparting vital, valuable information, in a professional but relaxed manner, that reduces risk and could ultimately save lives.
People learn in different ways and we match our course delivery to your requirements – ‘tool box’ talks in situ or classroom based presentation. We have a wealth of experience in providing expert accredited training in the format that suits you best. Our skilled trainers will guide your workforce step by step through every aspect of their course providing the knowledge and confidence they need to pass.
Our most popular courses include:
- First Aid
- Fire Safety
- Asbestos Awareness
- Manual Handling
For further information on these courses or any training related enquiry please contact:
Mark Price on 01206 751284