Principal contractor CDM compliance checklist

For construction projects involving more than one contractor, the CDM Regulations require clients to appoint a principal contractor to take charge on site. Our principal contractor CDM compliance checklist will help you to check that the role is being fulfilled properly.

CDM Regulations

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) include general requirements for construction management that apply to all projects, plus some additional requirements such as the appointment of a principal contractor if projects involve more than one contractor.

Note. “Construction work” includes everything you would expect as well as some less obvious activities, such as building repairs and maintenance, redecoration, high pressure cleaning and work on fixed services, e.g. electrical, gas and telephone.

How to use the checklist

There are two possible uses for this checklist. If you are appointed as a principal contractor, you can use it to make sure that you’ve covered all of your CDM duties. On the other hand, it could also be used by a client to check that their appointed principal contractor is doing what they should.

What’s covered?

The checklist covers the actions you are expected to take, in the role of principal contractor, prior to work starting on site, such as checking that the client is aware of their duties. It also covers in detail the information which the principal contractor should pass on to contractors and self-employed workers. Given the importance of planning and preparation, a number of the questions check that the site is going to be set up with the correct safety arrangements. These include physical provisions, such as safety signs and welfare facilities, as well as management arrangements, e.g. worker consultation mechanisms and co-ordination between contractors.

Your arrangements should be proportionate to the complexity of the project and the risks involved. Our checklist attempts to cover the detailed arrangements you would need for a large construction project. You may find that some of these are not required for a specific project, in which case you should simply tick the “N/A” (not applicable) column.