CDM 2015 (Construction (Design and Management) Regulations)

The CDM Regulations 2015 are the main UK law governing health, safety, and welfare across the planning, design, and delivery of construction projects.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, usually shortened to CDM 2015, are the principal set of regulations for managing health, safety, and welfare in construction projects in Great Britain. They apply to all construction work, from small domestic jobs to major projects, and are enforced by the HSE.

CDM 2015 sets out duties for key roles including the client, principal designer, principal contractor, designers, and contractors. On projects with more than one contractor, the client must appoint a principal designer and a principal contractor, and a construction phase plan must be prepared before work starts.

The regulations also require notification to the HSE for larger projects, adequate welfare facilities, and the preparation of a health and safety file. Compliance with CDM underpins much of the documentation, including RAMS and site registers, that sits at the heart of site management.