CDM 2015, UK wide
CDM Consultant Services
Construction projects carry legal health and safety duties from the first design decision to the final handover. AL23 Safety helps you meet them. We provide CDM consultant services across the UK, acting as your Principal Designer or supporting your team to stay compliant with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 on projects of every size.
What are the CDM Regulations?
Safety managed across the whole life of a project
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, known as CDM 2015, are the main health and safety rules for construction work in the UK. First introduced in 1994 and updated to their current form in 2015, they manage risk across the whole life of a project, from planning and design through construction to maintenance and use.
They apply to every construction project, from a small domestic refurbishment to a major commercial development. The aim is simple, to plan and manage work so that the people who build, use and maintain a structure are kept safe.
The whole life of a project
- 01Planning
- 02Design
- 03Construction
- 04Maintenance
- 05Use
Who the dutyholders are
CDM 2015 places duties on everyone
Every party in a project carries a defined role, with the Principal Designer leading on safety through design.
Client
Sets up the project and makes sure suitable arrangements are in place.
Principal Designer
Plans, manages and coordinates health and safety during the pre-construction phase.
The role we providePrincipal Contractor
Does the same during the construction phase, on site.
Designers and contractors
Manage the risks within their own work.
Where there is more than one contractor, the client must appoint a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor in writing. If they do not, those duties fall back on the client.
Two roles, one name
CDM Principal Designer or Building Regulations Principal Designer?
There are now two roles with the same name and it is easy to mix them up. Here is the difference.
CDM Principal Designer
Manages health and safety during design, under CDM 2015. This is the role we are describing on this page and the one we can take on for you.
Building Regulations Principal Designer
A separate, newer role introduced in England on 1 October 2023 under the Building Safety Act 2022. It focuses on compliance with the Building Regulations rather than construction health and safety.
A project can need both and the same organisation can only hold both where it is competent to do so. We make sure you understand which role you need so nothing falls through the gap.
How we support you
Take the role in full or back up your team
We can take on the Principal Designer role in full or support your existing team. Our CDM services include:
Principal Designer
We act as your appointed CDM Principal Designer, planning and coordinating health and safety through the design phase.
Principal Designer Advisor
Where you hold the role yourself, we give you as much or as little support as you need to carry it out.
Client Advisor
We guide you through your client duties, from appointing competent teams to checking your arrangements are sound.
Documentation
We prepare the Pre-Construction Information, review the Construction Phase Plan and compile the Health and Safety File.
F10 notification
We notify the HSE on your behalf where a project is notifiable, that is more than 30 working days with over 20 workers at once or over 500 person days.
Design risk management
We run design risk reviews and workshops to remove and reduce hazards at the earliest stage.
Inspections and audits
We carry out independent site inspections to check work stays in line with CDM 2015.
Why CDM matters
Real, enforceable and best handled early
The duties under CDM 2015 are real and enforceable.
Falling short
Project delays, added cost, enforcement action by the HSE and, at worst, serious harm to the people on site.
Getting it right early
Removes risk before it is built in, keeps roles and responsibilities clear and gives everyone the information they need to work safely from concept to completion.
Why AL23 Safety
A maze of duties, made straightforward
CDM compliance can feel like a maze of duties, documents and deadlines. We make it straightforward. You get clear advice, well organised paperwork and a single point of contact who keeps health and safety on track without slowing your project down.
Because health and safety, fire safety and fire engineering all sit under one roof here, we can support the fire side of your design too, right from the earliest stage. We work proportionately and practically, on projects of every size, across the UK.
Talk to us about your project
A Principal Designer, advice on your duties or CDM paperwork
Whether you need a Principal Designer, advice on your duties or support with CDM paperwork, we can help. Tell us about your project and we will set out exactly what you need.
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