CDM 2015
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) apply to all construction projects in the UK. They set out duties for everyone involved in construction work, from clients to contractors. RAMSdoc helps you meet these requirements.
Who does CDM 2015 apply to?
Section titled “Who does CDM 2015 apply to?”CDM 2015 applies to all construction work regardless of size. This includes new builds, renovations, refurbishments, demolition, maintenance, and repair work.
There are additional duties for projects with more than one contractor, and for projects that are notifiable to the HSE (lasting more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers at any point, or exceeding 500 person-days).
Duty holders and their responsibilities
Section titled “Duty holders and their responsibilities”CDM 2015 defines specific roles with specific duties. RAMSdoc helps each role meet their obligations.
Client
Section titled “Client”The person or organisation for whom the construction work is being carried out.
| Duty | How RAMSdoc helps |
|---|---|
| Appoint a principal designer and principal contractor (if more than one contractor) | Track appointments in project settings |
| Provide pre-construction information | Store site information, surveys, and constraints in the project record |
| Ensure sufficient time and resources for planning | Project timelines and milestones tracked |
| Ensure welfare facilities are provided | Welfare requirements covered in RAMS operational sections |
Principal contractor
Section titled “Principal contractor”The contractor in overall control of the construction phase (appointed by the client on multi-contractor projects).
| Duty | How RAMSdoc helps |
|---|---|
| Plan, manage, and monitor the construction phase | Project and site management with document tracking |
| Prepare and maintain the construction phase plan | RAMS documents form the basis of the construction phase plan |
| Coordinate subcontractors | Supply chain portal for managing subcontractor RAMS |
| Ensure suitable site inductions | Toolbox talks and mobile briefings |
| Manage interface risks between contractors | AI-assisted interface risk detection |
Contractors
Section titled “Contractors”Any person or organisation carrying out construction work.
| Duty | How RAMSdoc helps |
|---|---|
| Plan, manage, and monitor own work | Create and manage RAMS for all work activities |
| Cooperate with the principal contractor | Submit RAMS through the supply chain portal |
| Provide relevant information for the H&S file | Document history and version control |
| Ensure workers are trained, competent, and supervised | Competency tracking linked to RAMS |
Workers
Section titled “Workers”Anyone working on a construction site.
| Duty | How RAMSdoc helps |
|---|---|
| Cooperate with duty holders | Digital sign-off confirms understanding of RAMS |
| Report hazards and concerns | QR code reporting and mobile app |
CDM notifiable projects
Section titled “CDM notifiable projects”If your project is notifiable, RAMSdoc helps you manage the additional requirements:
- Mark the project as CDM Notifiable in the project settings.
- RAMSdoc flags the project with a CDM badge on the dashboard.
- The compliance score checks additional CDM-specific requirements including:
- Construction phase plan adequacy
- Principal contractor coordination evidence
- Welfare provision documentation
- Worker consultation records
[Screenshot: Project settings showing the CDM Notifiable toggle and notification details]
Construction phase plan
Section titled “Construction phase plan”CDM 2015 requires the principal contractor to prepare a construction phase plan before the construction phase begins. The plan should set out the health and safety arrangements for the project.
Your RAMS documents in RAMSdoc form the core of the construction phase plan. A comprehensive construction phase plan typically includes:
- Project description — captured in your project and site setup
- Management structure — roles and responsibilities, covered in project settings
- Health and safety arrangements — your RAMS documents
- Site rules — recorded in site settings
- Specific measures for high-risk work — covered in individual RAMS for each activity
- Emergency procedures — included in every RAMS
Pre-construction information
Section titled “Pre-construction information”Clients must provide pre-construction information to designers and contractors. In RAMSdoc, store this information in the project and site records:
- Existing site surveys (asbestos, structural, utilities)
- Previous use and any contamination
- Existing structures and their condition
- Access and egress constraints
- Underground and overhead services
- Neighbouring land use and restrictions
This information is available to all contractors working on the project, ensuring they have the information they need for their RAMS.
Key CDM 2015 references
Section titled “Key CDM 2015 references”| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| CDM 2015 Regulations | The regulations themselves (legislation.gov.uk) |
| L153 — Managing health and safety in construction | ACOP and guidance for CDM 2015 |
| HSE CDM guidance | Practical guidance for each duty holder role |
| PAS 1192-6:2018 | Specification for collaborative sharing of H&S information using BIM |