Jim Slater
Construction Design & Risk Management
Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
Whether you are planning a home extension, refurbishment, loft conversion or a new-build property, every construction project involves both practical and legal responsibilities. The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all construction work, regardless of its size or value.
For domestic clients, many of the legal duties under CDM 2015 are transferred to designers, contractors and other professionals appointed to carry out the work. However, everyone involved still has a role in helping to ensure that the project is properly planned, managed and completed safely.
CDM 2015 is the main legislation governing health, safety and welfare in the UK construction industry. It applies to a wide range of projects, including new builds, extensions, refurbishments, conversions, repairs, maintenance and demolition works. The regulations are designed to ensure that health & safety are considered from the earliest design stages through to project completion.
Construction work can present significant risks if not properly managed. CDM 2015 promotes a proactive approach to identifying hazards early, reducing risks during construction, and protecting workers, occupants and members of the public throughout the project.
The Principal Designer
Successful construction projects require more than good design and workmanship; they depend on effective planning, coordination and compliance from the very beginning. The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022 have strengthened the responsibilities of clients, designers and contractors to help deliver safer buildings.
Under CDM 2015, the principal designer is responsible for managing health & safety during the pre-construction phase. This includes coordinating design activities, identifying and reducing foreseeable risks, and ensuring that all designers meet their legal duties. Close collaboration with the principal contractor helps ensure that important health & safety information is effectively communicated throughout the project.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced a separate principal designer role for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), with a specific focus on fire and structural safety. This role supports compliance with building regulations, maintains the Golden Thread of safety information and helps meet the standards required by the Building Safety Regulator.
Although both roles focus on managing risk and improving safety, they serve different purposes. The CDM principal designer oversees health & safety risks associated with the design and construction process, while the Building Safety Act principal designer is concerned with the long-term safety, performance and regulatory compliance of higher-risk buildings.
F10 Notification
A construction project must be notified to the Health & Safety Executive if the work is expected to last more than 30 working days with 20 or more workers on site at the same time, or if it exceeds 500 person-days of construction work. However, it is important to note that the requirements of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all construction projects, regardless of whether they are notifiable to the HSE.
Building Safety Act 2022
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduces significant changes to building safety and regulatory compliance across the UK. Created to improve standards, strengthen accountability and deliver safer buildings, the Act places clear legal responsibilities on those involved in the design, construction and management of building projects.
A key requirement of the legislation is that individuals and organisations must be able to demonstrate competence in their roles and ensure compliance with the Building Regulations throughout the project lifecycle. These duties apply to all types of building work, from domestic extensions and home improvements to large commercial and mixed-use developments.
The Health & Safety Executive, acting as the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), oversees the regulatory framework for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). These are generally buildings that are at least 18 metres high or seven storeys and contain two or more residential units. Typical examples include high-rise residential buildings, student accommodation, hospitals and care homes. For Higher-Risk Buildings, the HSE is the sole building control authority during the design and construction phases.
The Act places a strong emphasis on competence, accountability and effective management of building information throughout a building's lifecycle. It also provides greater protection for residents and property owners by ensuring that safety, transparency and responsibility remain at the forefront of the construction and management process.