Construction Phase Plan under CDM 2015: what it must include
Every construction project in Great Britain needs a construction phase plan (CPP) before work starts on site, from a kitchen refit to a new-build block. This guide explains who is responsible, what the plan must cover and how to keep it proportionate.
What is a construction phase plan?
A construction phase plan sets out how health and safety will be managed during the construction phase of a project. It records the site rules, the arrangements for coordinating the people on site, and the specific measures for the significant risks of that job.
Is a CPP required on every project?
Yes. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 a construction phase plan is required for every construction project, whether or not it is notifiable to HSE and whether the client is commercial or domestic. The plan must be proportionate: a two-day job needs a short plan, a multi-trade project needs a detailed one.
Who writes it?
- Principal contractor: on projects with more than one contractor, the principal contractor must draw up the plan during the pre-construction phase, before the site is set up (CDM 2015, regulation 12).
- Contractor: on single-contractor projects, the contractor must make sure a plan is drawn up (regulation 15).
- Client: must make sure a plan is in place before the construction phase begins (regulation 4). On domestic projects these client duties normally pass to the contractor or principal contractor.
- Principal designer: provides pre-construction information that feeds into the plan.
When is a project notifiable?
Separately from the CPP, a project must be notified to HSE (form F10) if the construction work will last longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers working at the same time at any point, or will exceed 500 person days. Notification does not change the need for a plan, only the paperwork around it.
What a construction phase plan must contain
HSE guidance (L153) groups the content into four areas. Use them as headings:
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| 1. Description of the project | Address, client, principal designer, principal contractor, key dates, scope of work, existing information (drawings, surveys, asbestos reports, services). |
| 2. Management of the work | Roles and responsibilities, site rules, induction, arrangements for cooperation and consultation with workers, how RAMS are reviewed, communication, emergency and first-aid arrangements, reporting of accidents and near misses. |
| 3. Control of significant site risks | Specific arrangements for the risks of this job, especially those listed in Schedule 3 of CDM 2015, such as falls from height, burial in excavations, work near overhead power lines or with heavy prefabricated components; plus asbestos, services, traffic management, dust and noise. |
| 4. Welfare facilities | Toilets, washing, drinking water, rest and changing areas available from day one (Schedule 2). |
Keeping the plan proportionate
- Focus on the risks that are specific to this site, not generic text copied from the last job.
- Reference contractors' RAMS, COSHH assessments and permits to work rather than repeating them.
- Make it usable: the site manager and trades should be able to find the rules and emergency arrangements in seconds.
- Review and update it as the work progresses, the programme changes or new trades arrive.
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Common mistakes
- No plan at all on small or domestic jobs.
- A generic plan that does not mention the actual site, access, services or neighbours.
- Plan written after work has started.
- No link between the plan and the contractors' RAMS.
- Welfare arrangements missing for the first days on site.
FAQ
Is a construction phase plan required for small or domestic jobs?
Yes. CDM 2015 requires a construction phase plan for every construction project, including domestic work. It should be proportionate to the size and risk of the job.
Who is responsible for the construction phase plan?
The principal contractor on projects with more than one contractor, or the contractor on single-contractor projects. The client must make sure a plan is in place before construction starts.
Is the construction phase plan the same as RAMS?
No. The construction phase plan covers the whole project and its management arrangements. RAMS describe how a specific task or package will be carried out safely and should fit within the plan.
When must a project be notified to HSE?
When construction work will last longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point, or will exceed 500 person days.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Documents must be reviewed by a competent person and reflect the actual site and work. Sources: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (regulations 4, 6, 12 and 15; Schedules 2 and 3); HSE, Managing health and safety in construction (L153).