CDM 2015 stands for the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It is the main set of regulations governing health and safety on construction projects in the UK. CDM 2015 replaced the earlier CDM 2007 regulations and applies to all construction work, from small domestic projects to major infrastructure schemes.
The regulations define five key duty holders: the client (the person paying for the work), the principal designer (who plans and manages health and safety in the design phase), the principal contractor (who plans and manages health and safety during construction), designers, and contractors. Each has specific legal duties.
For projects with more than one contractor, the client must appoint a principal designer and principal contractor. The principal contractor must produce a construction phase plan before work starts, ensure workers are competent and inducted, and manage the coordination of health and safety on site.
CDM 2015 also requires that a health and safety file is created and maintained throughout the project. This file contains information about the building that will be needed for future maintenance, cleaning, or demolition. It must be handed to the client at project completion.
Non-compliance with CDM 2015 can result in enforcement action from the HSE, including improvement notices, prohibition notices, and criminal prosecution. Fines can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, and individuals can face prison sentences for serious breaches. FORGE Command helps construction teams stay CDM-compliant with built-in templates and compliance checklists.