CDM 2007 contractors
For information about the role of contractors under the 2015 CDM regulations see CDM 2015 contractors.
The text below relates to the superseded 2007 CDM regulations and is provided as a historical reference.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (or 'CDM Regulations') are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development so the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.
They were introduced in 1994 and came into force on 31 March 1995. They were substantially revised in 2007.
The regulations impose duties on:
- The client.
- Designers.
- The CDM co-ordinator.
- The principal contractor.
- Contractors.
- Workers.
The regulations define construction work as '...the carrying out of any building, civil engineering or engineering construction work'.
The regulations define contractors as '...any person (including a client, principal contractor or other person referred to in these Regulations) who, in the course or furtherance of a business, carries out or manages construction work'. This is as opposed to the 'principal contractor' whose role is to plan, manage and co-ordinate health and safety during construction.
The duties of contractors include:
- Ensuring the client is aware of their duties under the regulations.
- Planning, managing and monitoring their own work and that of their workers so that as far as is reasonably practicable, it is carried out without risks to health and safety.
- Ensuring that sub-contractors are informed of the minimum amount of time that will be allowed for planning and preparation (the CDM planning period).
- Providing appropriate site inductions, information and training for their workers.
- Preventing access by unauthorised persons.
- Ensuring that adequate welfare facilities are provided.
Where projects are notifiable under the regulations (projects which last more than 30 days or involve more than 500 person-days of construction work), the contractor must also:
- Ensure that a CDM co-ordinator and principal contractor have been appointed.
- Have access to the construction phase plan.
- Ensure that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been notified before work starts.
- Co-operate with the principal contractor in planning and managing work.
- Provide information necessary for the health and safety file.
- Comply with site rules and the construction phase plan and take appropriate action to ensure health and safety where it is not possible to comply with the construction phase plan.
- Provide the principal contractor with details to of any sub-contractors.
- Provide information needed for the health and safety file.
- Inform the principal contractor of any changes needed to the construction phase plan.
- Inform the principal contractor of reportable incidents or accidents.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.