Managing Contractors Under CDM 2015: Roles, Duties & Controls
Last updated: 8 October 2025
Author: Jade Anderson, Senior Reporter — UK-Safety.News
Key Roles Under CDM
Client
Appoints dutyholders, provides pre-construction info, ensures arrangements are in place.
Principal Designer
Plans, manages, and coordinates H&S in the pre-construction phase.
Principal Contractor
Plans, manages, and coordinates construction phase; builds and implements CPP.
Contractors/Workers
Cooperate with dutyholders; follow site rules, RAMS, and supervision.
The Contractor Control Process
1) Pre-qualification & competence
Insurance, training, references, accident history, policies, certifications.
2) Scope, hazards, and interfaces
Define boundaries, shared risks (traffic, energy, height), and interfaces with operations.
3) RAMS & coordination
Agree method statements, permits, emergency plans, welfare; integrate into CPP.
4) Supervision & change control
Daily briefings, permits, change approvals, inspections, close-out sign-off.
Quick Controls
✅ Site induction & access control
✅ Permit-to-work (hot work, confined spaces, LOTO)
✅ Traffic management & segregation
✅ Shared emergency arrangements
✅ Daily coordination meetings