CDM 2015 Regulations and Health & Safety Estimating Allowances.
CDM 2015 applies to all UK construction projects. Contractors must include explicit cost allowances for health and safety management, site inductions, risk assessments, and principal contractor compliance in their preliminaries.
Authored by Alexandr Vreme | Reviewed by Maksym Vasylkov
Published — Next review
Who this guide is for
Main contractors, principal contractors, and site managers. Scope: UK-wide.
Legal Requirements under CDM 2015
Every commercial and domestic project requires a designated Principal Contractor when more than one trade contractor is present on site. Estimators must price the administrative and site management time necessary to discharge these duties.
Cost Items to Include
- Preparation of the Construction Phase Plan (CPP).
- Site safety inductions, toolbox talks, and RAMS reviews.
- Provision of temporary welfare facilities (toilet, hot water, eating area).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and site safety signage.
Miniature Example
For a 6-week house refurbishment, the preliminary cost breakdown includes £450 for welfare hire, £300 for safety signage/PPE, and 10 hours of management time (£400) for CDM safety administration.
Primary Sources & Further Reading
Official reference sources: GOV.UK Building Regulations, Legislation.gov.uk, and HSE CDM 2015 Guidance.
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