A Construction Phase Plan is a project-specific document that explains how health and safety will be managed during the construction phase. It should be prepared before construction work starts and should be proportionate to the size, complexity and risks of the project.
What is a Construction Phase Plan?
A Construction Phase Plan (often shortened to CPP) is the document that sets out how the health and safety risks of a construction project will be managed while the work is being carried out. It records the key arrangements for the site — from welfare and site rules to the significant risks and how they will be controlled.
It is a practical, working document. It should reflect the actual project in front of you, be available on site, and be updated as the work progresses.
Is a CPP required under CDM 2015?
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, a Construction Phase Plan is required for every construction project, including smaller and domestic jobs. What changes is the level of detail: the plan should be proportionate to the size, complexity and risks of the work rather than a one-size-fits-all document.
Who prepares the Construction Phase Plan?
On a project with a single contractor, that contractor normally prepares the plan. Where more than one contractor is involved, the principal contractor is responsible for preparing it and for making sure it is followed and kept up to date.
What should a CPP include?
The exact contents depend on the project, but most Construction Phase Plans cover the following sections:
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Project details | Site address, client, contractor and basic project information |
| Description of works | What work is being carried out |
| Key contacts | Contractor, principal contractor, client and emergency contacts |
| Site rules | Access, PPE, housekeeping, visitors and working areas |
| Welfare arrangements | Toilets, washing facilities, drinking water and rest areas |
| Emergency arrangements | Fire, first aid, evacuation and emergency contacts |
| Significant risks | Main project-specific risks and control measures |
| Inductions and communication | How workers and subcontractors will be briefed |
| Monitoring and review | How the plan will be checked and updated |
Free Construction Phase Plan Checklist
Check what your Construction Phase Plan should cover before you start writing it.
Domestic projects
For domestic building work — extensions, refurbishments and similar — a Construction Phase Plan is still expected, but it should be kept proportionate. Focus on the genuine risks of the job, the site rules, welfare and emergency arrangements, rather than padding it with content that does not apply.
Commercial projects
Commercial and multi-contractor projects usually need a more detailed plan. The principal contractor coordinates the arrangements across trades, manages how contractors are briefed, and keeps the plan current as the project moves through its phases.
Need a structured starting point?
Download the CDM Docs Construction Phase Plan Template — editable in Microsoft Word, PDF included, instant download, £19.
Construction Phase Plan vs RAMS
A CPP and RAMS are often confused. The Construction Phase Plan is the overall health and safety plan for the construction phase. RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements) are usually task-specific documents that explain how a particular activity will be done safely. The CPP sits above the RAMS and references them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a generic template without editing it for the actual project.
- Writing the plan after work has already started on site.
- Listing every possible hazard instead of the significant, project-specific ones.
- Letting the plan sit in a folder rather than using and updating it.
Free Construction Phase Plan checklist
If you are not sure whether your plan covers everything it should, the free CPP Checklist is a quick way to review it section by section before you start writing.
Free Construction Phase Plan Checklist
Check what your Construction Phase Plan should cover before you start writing it.
Download an editable Construction Phase Plan Template
When you are ready to write your plan, the CDM Docs Construction Phase Plan Template gives you a professional, CDM 2015-aligned structure to start from — editable in Microsoft Word, with a PDF version included.