What Is a Construction Phase Plan?

Last updated: 5 March 2026

A construction phase plan is a document required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) that sets out the health and safety arrangements, site rules, and management procedures for the construction phase of a project.

It is the principal contractor's responsibility to prepare the construction phase plan before the construction phase begins. On projects with only one contractor, that contractor must prepare it.

Why Is It Required?

The construction phase plan is a legal requirement under Regulation 12 of CDM 2015. Its purpose is to ensure that health and safety is properly planned and managed throughout the construction phase. It should be a practical, working document — not a generic template filed and forgotten.

What Should a Construction Phase Plan Include?

Schedule 3 of CDM 2015 sets out the minimum contents:

Description of the Project

Project description and key dates
Client details and key contacts
Principal designer and principal contractor details
Details of other contractors and designers

Management of the Work

Management structure and responsibilities
Health and safety goals and arrangements for monitoring
Communication and cooperation arrangements between all parties
Site induction arrangements
Welfare facilities provision
Fire prevention and emergency procedures

Control of Specific Site Risks

Arrangements for controlling risks identified in the pre-construction information
Safety risks: falls, falling objects, structural instability, confined spaces, traffic management
Health risks: manual handling, noise, vibration, dust, hazardous substances (COSHH)

When Should It Be Prepared?

The construction phase plan must be prepared before the construction phase begins. It is a living document that should be reviewed and updated as the project progresses, new risks are identified, or circumstances change.

Common Mistakes

Using a generic template without tailoring to the specific project
Not updating the plan as the project progresses
Making it too long — it should be proportionate to the project
Not communicating its contents to workers and subcontractors
Confusing it with the health and safety file (different document, different purpose)

The construction phase plan is your project's safety roadmap. Get it right and you have a clear framework for managing health and safety throughout the build. Get it wrong and you are exposed to both regulatory risk and real safety risk.