The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015) are the main set of regulations for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects.

CDM applies to all building and construction work and includes new build, demolition, refurbishment, extensions, conversions, repair and maintenance.

The CDM Regulations place responsibility for managing the health and safety of a construction project on three main duty holders.

  • The client ensures that the construction project is set up so that it is carried out from start to finish in a way that adequately controls the risks to the health and safety of those who may be affected.
  • The principal designer manages health and safety in the pre-construction phase of a project. The role extends to the construction phase through the principal designer’s duties to liaise with the principal contractor and ongoing design work.
  • The principal contractor manages the construction phase of a project. This involves liaising with the client and principal designer throughout the project, including during the pre-construction phase.

Depending upon the nature of the project, the principal designer and principal contractor may be supported by designers, contractors and workers.

The biggest change introduced by CDM 2015 was the new duty holder of Principal Designer. This has replaced the CDM Coordinator under the previous CDM Regulations but is a significantly different role as it requires a very different set of competencies and experience covering detailed knowledge of the design and construction processes as well as of health and safety legislation and practice.

Virtus Consult has extensive experience in all these areas, and of working as Principal Designer, so if you are affected by the CDM Regulations 2015 then we can support you as part of the project team. This includes providing CDM advice and support to you as Client, Principal Designer, Designer or Principal Contractor. We can also fulfil the legal duty of Principal Designer working directly for the Client.

For a copy of our CDM Capability Statement and a list of the projects where we have fulfilled this role please click here, or contact us to discuss your needs.