Construction phase plan template
Under CDM 2015 every construction project needs a construction phase plan before the construction phase begins. On a job with one contractor, you write it. Fill in the form, tick the dangers on your site and download a PDF in the HSE format.
Your construction phase plan
What the law says
Regulation 12 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 says the plan must set out the health and safety arrangements and site rules for the project, and include specific measures for any work listed in Schedule 3. On projects with more than one contractor the principal contractor prepares it; on single-contractor projects the contractor does. It must be ready before the construction phase starts, and kept up to date.
HSE’s leaflet CIS80 shows a one-page plan for small jobs: who is involved, the key dates, welfare, how people will be kept informed and how the main dangers will be controlled. This generator follows the same headings.
Do I need a construction phase plan for a small domestic job?
Yes. CDM 2015 applies to domestic projects too, and every project needs a construction phase plan. For a small job with one contractor it can be short, as long as it covers the arrangements, site rules and the main dangers.
Who writes the construction phase plan?
The principal contractor when there is more than one contractor. When you are the only contractor, you write it yourself.
Is a construction phase plan the same as RAMS?
No. The plan covers the whole project and how it will be managed. RAMS cover how a particular task will be done safely. Many jobs need both. See what goes into RAMS.
Does the building need its own fire risk assessment?
Your plan covers fire on site during the work. If the building is a workplace, shop, block of flats or HMO, its Responsible Person also needs a fire risk assessment for the premises, and it should be reviewed after building work. Make a fire risk assessment with FireRiskKit.
Do I need to notify HSE?
Only if the project will last more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers working at the same time, or will exceed 500 person days. The client notifies HSE before the construction phase starts, using form F10. On a domestic project the client’s duties pass to the contractor (or the principal contractor), so in practice you would notify.
Checked against legislation.gov.uk (CDM 2015, regulation 12 and Schedule 3) and HSE CIS80 on 31 October 2026.