What is a Principal Contractor?

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM2015) are a set of regulations that set out the duties of those involved in the construction industry to manage health and safety risks. The principal contractor is one of the key duty holders under CDM2015, and they have a number of important responsibilities to ensure that construction projects are carried out safely.

The principal contractor is defined in CDM2015 as the person with overall control of the construction phase of a project. This means that they are responsible for planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating the work of all contractors on site. They also have a duty to ensure that the Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is prepared, implemented and reviewed as necessary.

R&B Building Services say: The CPP is a document that sets out the health and safety arrangements for the construction phase of a project. It should include information on the following:

• The risks to health and safety that will be present during the construction phase
• The measures that will be taken to control these risks
• The roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the project

The principal contractor must ensure that the CPP is prepared and implemented in a way that is suitable for the project. They must also review the CPP regularly and make any necessary changes.

In addition to their duties in relation to the CPP, the principal contractor also has a number of other responsibilities under CDM2015, including:

• Ensuring that everyone on site is provided with suitable induction training
• Taking steps to prevent unauthorised access to the site
• Liaising with the client and principal designer to ensure that health and safety is managed effectively
• Ensuring that suitable welfare facilities are provided for workers
• Ensuring that everyone on site complies with health and safety rules

The principal contractor has a vital role to play in ensuring that construction projects are carried out safely. By fulfilling their duties under CDM2015, they can help to prevent accidents and injuries and protect the health and safety of everyone involved in the project.

Here are some additional tips for principal contractors:

• Make sure you have the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out your duties effectively.
• Get involved in the planning and design stages of the project so that you can identify and control risks early on.
• Communicate effectively with the client, principal designer and other contractors on site.
• Make sure everyone on site is aware of their health and safety responsibilities.
• Monitor the effectiveness of your health and safety arrangements and make changes as necessary.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your construction projects are carried out safely. R&B Building Services have extensive experience acting as Principal Contractors.