Construction phase plan for a domestic job
Under CDM 2015, every construction project needs a construction phase plan before work starts, including extensions, conversions and refurbishments for homeowners. It does not need to be long. It needs to fit the job and the risks.
Who writes it
On a job with one contractor, that contractor writes the plan. Where there is more than one contractor, the principal contractor does. On domestic jobs the homeowner does not have to do anything: the client duties pass to the contractor.
What goes in it
HSE asks for a plan that is proportionate to the work. For a typical domestic job that means:
- the project: the address, a description of the work, and the start and finish dates
- the team: client, designer, principal designer and principal contractor where there are more than one contractor, and who is in charge on site
- site rules, induction and how workers will be told about risks
- welfare: toilets, washing, drinking water, somewhere to rest and eat, from the start of the job
- the significant risks and how they are controlled, for example working at height, excavations, demolition, asbestos, live services, manual handling and dust
- temporary works, and who designs and checks them
- fire and emergency arrangements, including first aid
- whether the project needs an F10 notification
Keep it with the job and update it as the work changes.
Keep it practical
A short plan that people on site read is better than a long one nobody opens. Point to the RAMS for each task rather than copying them in, and add photos or a site layout plan where they make things clearer.