Every construction project, regardless of its size or duration, must have a Construction Phase Plan (CPP) in place before work begins on site. This essential document outlines how health and safety will be managed throughout the construction phase of a project. It’s a legal requirement under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), and its primary purpose is to ensure that foreseeable risks are identified, controlled, and communicated to everyone involved.
What Is A Construction Phase Plan?
A construction phase plan is a key document that details the health and safety risks associated with the construction phase of the project and the control measures that will be implemented to minimise risks or, where possible, eliminate them.
Once drawn up, the document should help communicate significant risks, site rules and health and safety arrangements to other people involved in the construction phase.
As the construction industry’s leading provider of risk management services, Veriforce CHAS supports contractors in creating and submitting effective Construction Phase Plans. From templates and e-learning to expert guidance and accreditation, Veriforce CHAS helps you meet your legal obligations and demonstrate your commitment to safety and compliance from day one.
Key Components Of A Construction Phase Plan
A construction plan is only effective when it clearly outlines all critical elements. Understanding the key components of a Construction Phase Plan ensures every aspect of the project, from safety to communication, is properly managed.
Project Details: Outline the project scope, timelines, location, and parties involved.
Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define who is responsible for safety, supervision, and reporting on site.
Risk Assessments: Identify hazards specific to the construction phase and detail control measures.
Method Statements: Provide step-by-step instructions on safely completing high-risk activities.
Emergency Procedures: Include first-aid arrangements, fire safety plans, and evacuation procedures.
Communication and Reporting: Establish procedures for sharing updates, incidents, and progress with all stakeholders.
Types Of Construction Phase Plans
Not all construction plans are the same. Different projects require tailored Construction Phase Plans, depending on complexity, scale, and sector-specific requirements.
Standard CPP: Covers routine construction projects, focusing on general safety procedures and compliance.
Complex or High-Risk CPP: Tailored for projects with multiple contractors, heavy machinery, or significant public interaction.
Short-Term or Small-Scale CPP: Designed for minor projects, emphasising essential risk management without overcomplication.
Sector-Specific CPP: Adapted to industry-specific requirements, such as residential, commercial, or infrastructure construction projects.
The Importance Of A Construction Phase Plan
A well-prepared construction plan is crucial for the successful delivery of a project. Recognising the importance of a Construction Phase Plan helps ensure safety, efficiency, and legal compliance on every site.
Ensures Legal Compliance: Helps meet the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Reduces Risk of Accidents: Identifying hazards and implementing controls protects workers and the public.
Improves Project Efficiency: Clear planning and role definitions streamline workflows, reducing delays.
Enhances Communication: Provides a central reference for contractors, clients, and site managers.
Promotes a Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to health and safety, encouraging adherence from all parties.
Related Reading: A Complete Guide to CDM Regulations
A Quick Summary Of The Construction Design And Management Regulations 2015
The CDM Regulations 2015 provide a framework for managing risk and delineating health and safety responsibilities across construction projects. As mentioned above, key stakeholders, known as “duty holders,” include clients, designers, contractors, and workers, each with distinct responsibilities:
- Clients set up the project, define its brief, and ensure safety by providing information and resources, also notifying the HSE when required.
- Principal designers take charge of the pre-construction phase, advising on safety, gathering information, assessing risks, and coordinating with others to ensure a safe project setup.
- Principal contractors take the lead during the construction phase and coordinate safety efforts during construction, manage risks, and ensure compliance through collaboration with clients and designers.
- Designers integrate safety into their designs based on pre-construction information and communicate these considerations to the project team.
- Contractors confirm client awareness of safety duties, oversee worker safety, and maintain site security.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Phase Plans
What Should A Construction Phase Plan Include?
Each construction phase plan is unique as it contains details about health and safety risks and arrangements specific to the project at hand. However, all plans must include core information, such as:
- Project overview: Provides a detailed account of the project, including its scope, timeline, and the identities and roles of key personnel.
- Risk analysis: Identifies potential health and safety hazards and outlines strategies for their mitigation or elimination.
- Safety protocols: Specifies the actions, safety measures and emergency procedures to manage identified risks effectively.
When Do You Need A Construction Phase Plan?
All construction projects, no matter the size or duration, are legally required to have a construction phase plan. For example, these plans are also required for domestic projects.
If your project is classed as construction work — meaning it involves the building, demolition, renovation, maintenance or repair of a structure — you will first need to produce a construction phase plan during the pre-construction phase before the construction site is set up. This is so risks and control measures can be communicated with project teams before any work begins and before any workers are exposed to unnecessary risks.
Related Reading: What Is Pre-Construction Information?
How Does Project Size Affect The Detail And Complexity Of A Construction Phase Plan?
Your construction phase plan should be proportionate to the size, scope and complexity of the project.
- For smaller projects: Construction phase plans can be simple but thorough, reflecting the project’s limited scope whilst ensuring safety.
- For larger projects: Their complexity and scale require more detailed plans that address the broader spectrum of safety considerations and logistical challenges.
Who Is Responsible For Creating A Construction Phase Plan?
The responsibility of developing a construction phase plan primarily rests with the principal contractor, who must navigate the construction phase with a keen eye on compliance and safety standards. However, the process of building the plan is collaborative — clients and designers need to provide crucial information and support to fortify the plan.
- Principal contractor’s role: Leads the CPP development, ensuring the plan is both actionable and compliant with safety regulations.
- Clients and designer’s roles: Share project-specific details that inform the construction phase plan’s content and focus.
How To Draft A Construction Phase Plan
1. Start With Project Information
The first section of the construction phase plan should contain information about the project and those involved. Names and contact details of important project team members should be listed, as well as an overview of the project and any key dates, such as deadlines for specific tasks, phases and the completion of the project.
2. Highlight Management Arrangements
The plan should also outline any management arrangements. For example, plans for keeping site management and personnel updated should be included, in addition to arrangements for ensuring cooperation between project team members, such as regular site meetings to discuss the coordination of work.
3. On-Site Work Arrangements
You will also need to describe the specific arrangements for managing work on-site, including:
- Health and safety targets
- Site rules
- Welfare arrangements
- Site inductions
- Arrangements for consultation with workforce/briefings, etc.
- Fire and emergency arrangements.
4. Health And Safety Arrangements And Control Measures
The majority of your construction phase plan should focus on health and safety risks, as well as arrangements and control measures to keep workers, site visitors and members of the public safe from harm.
First, the plan should identify health and safety risks associated with on-site activities and take into consideration any scenarios that could increase the severity or probability of risks being realised.
Control measures and health and safety precautions should then be detailed. Arrangements for controlling health and safety risks can include:
- Hazardous substance control
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Removal of the hazard or elimination of the risk
- Use of machinery to remove or reduce risks
- The installation of physical barriers to restrict access or reduce the risk of a fall.
These are just some of the control measures you may decide to implement during your project, but the exact precautions you take will depend on your project and the activities carried out.
Related Reading: What Is COSHH? Hazardous Substance Control Explained
5. Take Note Of Schedule 3 Of The CDM Regulations 2015
Precautions and control measures should be implemented for any risk. However, Schedule 3 of the CDM Regulations 2015 requires you to include specific arrangements regarding activities that fall within one or more of the following ten types of work:
- Work that puts workers at risk of burial under earth falls, engulfment in swampland or falling from a height where the risk is particularly aggravated by the nature of the work, processes used or the environment of the place of work or site.
- Work that puts workers at risk from chemical or biological substances constituting a particular danger to the safety or health of workers or involving a legal requirement for health monitoring.
- Work with ionising radiation that requires the designation of controlled or supervised areas under regulation 16 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.
- Work near high-voltage power lines.
- Work exposing workers to the risk of drowning.
- Work on wells, underground earthworks and tunnels.
- Work is carried out by divers who have an air supply system.
- Work carried out by workers in caissons with a compressed air atmosphere.
- Work involving the use of explosives.
- Work involving the assembly or dismantling of heavy prefabricated components.
While there are many risks and control measures to consider in a construction phase plan, the document must be drawn up specifically for the needs and specifics of your construction project.
It should not be a collection of risk assessments, method statements, and health and safety policies. These should be separate documents, although they can be referenced in the plan and demonstrate elements of the safety management systems in place.
Become A CHAS Contractor To Draft Excellent Construction Phase Plans
Creating a construction phase plan isn’t just about complying with the 2015 CDM Regulations. This document also plays a critical role in helping your entire project team understand health and safety risks and work together to create a safe work site.
Veriforce CHAS can assist with creating comprehensive construction phase plans to help you achieve compliance and effectively manage project risks. As a CHAS Contractor, you can unlock risk management materials such as electronic risk assessment and method statement templates, e-learning modules and business shield support. You’ll also have access to our industry-leading accreditation schemes, which can help you win more contracts and demonstrate your commitment to the highest risk management standards to our network of more than 2,500 clients.Get in touch with our advisors to learn more about becoming a CHAS Contractor. You can also fill out the form below to receive a FREE construction phase plan template by email.
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