What is CDM?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 — commonly known as CDM 2015 — are the main set of regulations governing health, safety and welfare in UK construction projects. They require everyone involved in a construction project to take responsibility for managing risk, including the client, principal designer, designers, principal contractor, contractors and workers.
CDM Regulations
The CDM regulations apply to all construction projects, regardless of size or duration, and aim to ensure that health and safety is considered at every stage of a project’s life cycle — from design, through construction, to completion and handover.
The regulations place specific legal duties on each party in a construction project, including the duty to plan and manage the work, identify and eliminate or control risks, and cooperate and coordinate with others involved in the project.
The CDM regulations were first introduced in 1994 and updated in 2007 and 2015. The 2015 version introduced the principal designer role and is the version currently in force. The regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Why Book a CDM Course?
Booking a CDM course can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Compliance with regulations: CDM training helps ensure you and your team understand and meet your duties under CDM 2015, a legal requirement on all UK construction projects.
- Improved health and safety: CDM courses give practical guidance on managing and controlling construction risks, leading to better outcomes for workers and anyone affected by the project.
- Enhanced skills and knowledge: Courses cover the roles and responsibilities of each duty holder and how to apply risk management in practice, making you a more effective construction professional.
- Competitive advantage: Many clients and contractors require suppliers to demonstrate CDM competence. Training helps you stand out and show a clear commitment to best practice.
Available CDM Training Courses
Each course below is advertised and delivered by an established, accredited training provider, and matched to a particular CDM duty-holder role:
CDM Awareness
A general introduction to CDM 2015 and its duty holders. Ideal for anyone needing a working understanding of the regulations.
CDM: An Overview
A concise overview of the CDM framework, roles and key requirements — a good starting point for those new to the regulations.
CDM 2015 in Practice
A practical look at how CDM 2015 is applied day to day on projects, covering documentation, planning and coordination.
CDM Duty Holder
Focused on the legal duties placed on duty holders under CDM 2015, helping clients and project teams meet their responsibilities.
CDM for Designers and Principal Designers
Covers the specific duties of designers and the principal designer role, including managing health and safety risk during the pre-construction phase.
CDM for Contractors and Principal Contractors
Covers the duties of contractors and the principal contractor, including planning, managing and monitoring the construction phase.
Breaking Ground in Construction Training for Duty Holders
Duty-holder focused training covering the practical management of health and safety from the outset of a construction project.
Which CDM Course Do I Need?
The right course depends on your role on a project. For a general working knowledge, start with CDM Awareness or CDM: An Overview. Designers and those acting as principal designer should take the dedicated designers’ course; contractors and principal contractors should take the contractors’ course. Clients and wider project teams benefit from the CDM Duty Holder and CDM 2015 in Practice courses. If you’re not sure which course fits your responsibilities, call 0808 1966 830 or make an enquiry.