Construction phase plan made simple: CDM checklist, free template and how to brief the team

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Construction phase plan document on clipboard in a site office

Who this is for

Small builders, plumbers, electricians, joiners and maintenance contractors who are asked for a Construction Phase Plan before works start. This guide keeps it simple and aligned to CDM 2015.

What is a construction phase plan

A Construction Phase Plan is the document that explains how you’ll manage health and safety on the job. Under CDM 2015, it must cover how you plan, manage and monitor the construction phase, the site rules, welfare, inductions and the controls for significant risks.

Helpful background:

HSE overview of planning construction work: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/planning.htm
CDM 2015 regulation 12 on the plan: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/51/regulation/12
CITB example plan GA26 PDF: https://www.citb.co.uk/media/ocsgdlyy/construction-phase-plan-example.pdf

When you must have one

Every project requires a plan. CDM 2015 makes the CPP a requirement on all projects, domestic and commercial.
Who prepares it: the principal contractor prepares it where there’s more than one contractor. On single‑contractor jobs, that contractor prepares it.
Have it ready before the site is set up and keep it updated when things change.
2025 update: Even small jobs with no pre-construction info require a plan. The HSE expects you to prepare a tailored plan at the start, not just paste a generic one. If a principal contractor asks you for a CPP, you’ve a legal duty to provide one or not proceed with the work.

What to include

Keep it short and specific to the job. Use the headings below as your checklist.

Project details: address, description of works, key dates, client and contacts.
Management of the work: who is in charge, roles and responsibilities, supervision, site rules, consultation with workers.
Welfare and site setup: toilets, wash, drying, rest area, first aid, fire points, access and segregation.
Significant risks and controls: working at height, asbestos, live services, excavations, lifting, hot works, dust, noise, vibration, traffic, public interface. Reference RAMS where needed.
Induction and briefings: site induction, toolbox talks, daily activity briefings.
Emergency procedures: fire plan, spill response, nearest A and E, muster point.
Monitoring and review: inspections, close calls, updating the plan when designs or methods change.

Reference material you can cite in your plan:

HSE CIS80 leaflet on CPP: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis80.pdf
HSE principal contractor role: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/principal-contractors.htm

Step-by-step setup

Follow this simple flow from pre‑start to handover.

Flowchart of construction phase plan steps from pre-construction info to handover

Gather pre‑construction information

Ask the client or principal designer for drawings, surveys, services plans and any known hazards.
Walk the site. Note access, neighbours, overheads, underground services and welfare options.

Draft the plan

Fill in the project details and contacts.
Write the site rules in plain English relevant to this job.
List the main risks and controls. Link to your RAMS where the detail sits.

Set up the site

Put welfare in place before work starts.
Set up fencing, signage, fire points and first aid.

Induct and brief

Do a site induction for everyone. Record names and dates.
Run a quick daily briefing to check tasks, risks and controls.

Keep it live

Update the plan if methods, design or people change.
Record incidents and close calls with the actions taken.

Handover and archive

On completion, file the final plan with your job pack.

Brief your team

A 5 minute briefing script you can use on day one.

Today’s work and sequence
Key risks we control on this job
Site rules and welfare location
Fire point and muster point
Who to call for first aid and supervision
How we report close calls or changes

Tip: Keep briefings short and daily. Use toolbox talks for topic deep dives. See our toolbox talk guide for formats and scripts: https://academy.trainar.ai/toolbox-talks-uk-what-hse-expects-free-5minute-scripts-and-a-printable-signin-sheet

Keep it live

Your plan should change as the job changes. Update when:

Scope or design changes
New trades or subbies arrive
A serious close call or incident happens
Weather makes controls unworkable

Downloads

Free templates and examples you can copy.

CITB example plan GA26: https://www.citb.co.uk/media/ocsgdlyy/construction-phase-plan-example.pdf
HSE CIS80 short guide: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis80.pdf
Council example Word template: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/media/8205/Construction-phase-plan-template/doc/3.20_Appendix_Nvi_CPP_Template.docx

What are people saying on Reddit?

Useful CDM documentation explainer video by Rebranding Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZ4wMxXFew
Builder software walkthrough on completing a CPP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_0PuC1Sa_Q

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