Construction Phase Plan

Description

The Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is a statutory requirement under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015). No construction work may commence unless a suitable and sufficient CPP has been prepared. 

The CPP must set out the Principal Contractor's arrangements for: 

  • Project-specific and tailored to the scope of works
  • Proportionate to the scale, complexity and risk profile of the project
  • Clear, practical and capable of implementation on-site
  • Has sufficient detail to clearly set out the arrangements, site rules and special measures needed to manage the construction phase
  • Proportionate to the scale and complexity of the project and risks involved

The CPP must be: 

  • Project-specific and tailored to the scope of works
  • Proportionate to the scale, complexity and risk profile of the project
  • Clear, practical and capable of implementation on-site
  • Has sufficient detail to clearly set out the arrangements, site rules and special measures needed to manage the construction phase
  • Proportionate to the scale and complexity of the project and the risks involved

The CPP should avoid unnecessary or generic documentation that obscures key arrangements (e.g. generic risk assessments or excessive method statements). The emphasis should remain on clarity of managment controls and coordination mechanisms. 

As a minimum, the CPP should address:

  • Project description, key dates and dutyholder details 
  • The health & safety objectives for the project
  • Site rules and behavioural expectations
  • Arrangements for cooperation and coordination between contractors
  • Worker consultation and engagement mechanisms
  • Site induction arrangements 
  • Welfare facilities 
  • Fire and emergency procedures
  • Arrangements for managing Schedule 3 high-risk activities (where applicable)
  • Traffic and logistics management 
  • Interface management within occupied environments (where relevant)

Engagement

The Project Manager (PM) must provide the Principal Contractor with all relevant Pre-Construction Information (PCI) to enable preparation of a suitable and sufficient CPP. The Principal Contractor is responsible for preparing the CPP prior to mobilisation.

The PM shall:

  • Receive the CPP from the Principal Contractor
  • Undertake an initial review to ensure it is project-specific
  • Forward the CPP to relevant stakeholders, including the Health & Safety Team for review and comment
  • Ensure the CPP has been accepted before works commence

Construction works must not begin until the CPP has been reviewed and deemed adequate

Forms & Links

There is no mandatory Imperial template for the CPP. PC may use their own format, provided all statutory requirements under CDM 2015 are addressed. 

Approvals & Compliance Review

The completed CPP must be submitted to the Health & Safety Team for review prior to commencement of construction works. 

The review will assess whether the CPP is: 

  • Suitable and sufficient for the specific project
  • Proportionate to identified risks
  • Consistent with the Pre-Construction Information
  • Reflective of the design risk management arrangements
  • Adequate in addressing high-risk construction activities. 

Any feedback or required amendments must incorporated before mobilisation. The CPP may be subject to ongoing review during CDM Compliance Oversight Inspections to ensure it remains implemented and effective. 

Repeated Subsequent RIBA Stages

The CPP is a live management document and must be reviewed and updated throughout the construction phase.