UK CDM Regulations 2015 Principal Contractor Compliance Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 place specific legal duties on principal contractors to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety throughout the construction phase. Principal contractors must ensure a Construction Phase Plan is prepared and implemented before construction work begins, as required under CDM Regulations 2015 Regulation 12. This audit checklist supports principal contractors in demonstrating ongoing compliance with CDM 2015 duties and maintain

  • Industry: UK Construction
  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: CDM Principal Contractor
  • Total Items: 41
  • Compliance: CDM Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/51), HSE INDG411 - Managing Health and Safety in Construction, HSE L153 - Managing Health and Safety in Construction ACoP, PUWER 1998 (SI 1998/2306), Work at Height Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/735)

Duty Holder Appointments & Notifications

Verify all required CDM duty holder appointments have been made in writing and F10 notification submitted where required.

  • Has the client formally appointed the principal contractor in writing as required?
  • Has the client appointed a principal designer in writing for the project?
  • Has an F10 HSE notification been submitted for this project where required?
  • Is the F10 notification displayed prominently at the construction site?
  • Are all sub-contractors formally appointed with documented competence checks on file?

Construction Phase Plan (CPP)

Assess the adequacy and implementation of the Construction Phase Plan in accordance with CDM 2015 requirements.

  • Is a Construction Phase Plan (CPP) in place and was it prepared before construction began?
  • Does the CPP include suitable arrangements for managing significant site-specific risks?
  • Has the CPP been reviewed and updated to reflect current site conditions and activities?
  • Is the CPP readily accessible to all workers and contractors on site?
  • Does the CPP include specific emergency procedures and site welfare arrangements?

Welfare Facilities

Confirm welfare facilities meet the minimum standards required under CDM 2015 Schedule 2.

  • Are adequate sanitary conveniences provided and maintained in a clean condition?
  • Are washing facilities with hot and cold running water provided near toilets and changing rooms?
  • Is an adequate supply of drinking water provided and clearly marked?
  • Are adequate changing rooms and lockers available for workers who need to change clothing?
  • Is a suitable rest area provided with facilities for heating food and water?

Worker Consultation & Engagement

Verify that arrangements for worker consultation and communication of health and safety information are in place.

  • Does the principal contractor have documented arrangements for consulting workers on health and safety matters?
  • Are site induction records maintained for all workers including sub-contractor operatives?
  • Are toolbox talk records maintained and relevant to current site activities?
  • Is there a site notice board displaying key H&S information, emergency contacts and F10?
  • Are CSCS card checks or equivalent competence verification being carried out for workers on site?

Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS)

Review the adequacy of risk assessments and method statements for high-risk construction activities.

  • Are suitable and sufficient risk assessments in place for all significant site activities?
  • Are method statements approved and communicated to operatives before high-risk activities commence?
  • Are RAMS reviewed and updated following any significant changes to scope or site conditions?
  • Is there a permit-to-work system in place for high-hazard activities such as hot works, confined spaces and electrical isolation?
  • Are COSHH assessments in place for all hazardous substances in use on site?

Plant, Equipment & LOLER/PUWER Compliance

Confirm that plant and lifting equipment is inspected, certified and operated in accordance with LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998.

  • Are current thorough examination certificates available on site for all lifting equipment and accessories?
  • Are plant operators verified as competent with relevant qualifications such as CPCS or NPORS cards?
  • Are pre-use inspection records maintained for all mobile plant and lifting equipment?
  • Are Safe Working Load (SWL) markings clearly visible on all lifting equipment and accessories?
  • Are exclusion zones established and enforced for crane and lifting operations?

Work at Height Controls

Assess compliance with Work at Height Regulations 2005 for all activities involving working at height on the project.

  • Has all work at height been properly planned with a risk assessment and method statement in place?
  • Is edge protection or collective fall prevention in place at all open edges and floor openings?
  • Are scaffolding structures erected, altered and dismantled only by competent scaffolders with documented handover tags?
  • Are ladders and stepladders used only where a more suitable work platform is not reasonably practicable?
  • Are Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) inspected with valid LOLER certificates and operated by trained personnel?

H&S File & Project Documentation

Confirm that the principal contractor is contributing to and maintaining records required for the health and safety file.

  • Is the principal contractor providing relevant information to the principal designer for compilation of the health and safety file?
  • Are records of site inspections, audits and safety tours documented and filed?
  • Are accident, near miss and dangerous occurrence reports completed and retained on site?
  • Are there documented actions and close-out records from previous H&S audits and inspections?
  • Are details of any notifiable incidents or HSE contact documented and available for review?
  • Please provide any additional observations or actions required from this audit:

Related Uk Construction Safety Checklists

Why Use This UK CDM Regulations 2015 Principal Contractor Compliance Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This uk cdm regulations 2015 principal contractor compliance audit checklist [free pdf] helps uk construction teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for cdm principal contractor professionals, this checklist covers 41 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.

Ensures compliance with CDM Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/51), HSE INDG411 - Managing Health and Safety in Construction, HSE L153 - Managing Health and Safety in Construction ACoP, PUWER 1998 (SI 1998/2306), Work at Height Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/735). Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the UK CDM Regulations 2015 Principal Contractor Compliance Audit Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 41 inspection items across 8 sections: Duty Holder Appointments & Notifications, Construction Phase Plan (CPP), Welfare Facilities, Worker Consultation & Engagement, Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS), Plant, Equipment & LOLER/PUWER Compliance, Work at Height Controls, H&S File & Project Documentation. It is designed for uk construction operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this UK CDM Regulations 2015 Principal Contractor Compliance Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for CDM Principal Contractor professionals in the uk construction industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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