Construction Phase Plan (CPP) - When is the Plan required?

The plan is required for all construction works before the start of the construction phase. The plan sets out how health and safety is to be managed during the construction phase.

What level of detail is required in the CPP before work commences on site?

The CPP should be proportionate to the scale and risks of the project.

The plan should demonstrate that:

1. The construction phase will be planned, managed and monitored to enable the work to commence without causing risk to health and safety
2. Adequate regard is paid to the information provided by the Designers and
3. The pre-construction information provided by the Principal Designer to the Principal Contractor has been included.

Note – For single contractor work and for maintenance/repair work the Risk Assessments and Method Statement (RAMS) may form the CPP.

How often should the plan be revised during the construction phase?

The plan should always be a live document so that it is addressing risk to health and safety of all persons who may be affected as the construction work proceeds.

What level of detail is required during the construction phase?

The Principal Contractor needs to take reasonable steps to ensure that the construction phase plan has:

1. Identified risks to health and safety generally
2. Identified the risks specific to the particular type of construction work concerned
3. Included suitable and sufficient measures t​o address such risks and
4. Provided any site rules.

When generating the construction phase plan the content and level of detail should be proportionate to the risks involved in the project.

The following topics are examples of what should be considered.

1. Description of Project

Project description and programme details including any key dates;

• Details of Client, Principal Designer, Designers, Principal Contractor and other consultants
• Extent and location of existing records and plans that are relevant to health and safety on site, including information about existing structures when appropriate.

2. Management of the work

Management structure and responsibilities;

• Health and safety goals for the project and arrangements for monitoring and review of health and safety performance:

Arrangements for:

• Regular liaison between parties on site
• Consultation with the workforce
• The exchange of design information between the Appointed Client, Designers, Principal Designer and Contractors on site
• Handling design changes during the project
• The selection and control of contractors
• The exchange of health and safety information between Contractors
• Site security
• Site induction
• On-site training
• Welfare facilities and first aid
• The reporting and investigation of accidents and incidents including near misses
• The production and approval of risk assessments and written systems of work
• Site rules
• Fire and emergency procedures.

3. Arrangements for controlling significant site risks

Safety risks, including:

• Delivery and removal of materials (including waste) and work equipment taking account of any risks to the public, e.g. during access to or egress from the site
• Dealing with services – water, electricity and gas, including overhead power lines and temporary electrical installations
• Accommodating adjacent land use
• Liability of structures whilst carrying out construction work, including temporary structures and existing unstable structures
• Preventing falls
• Work with or near fragile materials
• Control of lifting operations
• The maintenance of plant and equipment
• Work on excavations and work where there are poor ground conditions
• Traffic routes and segregation of vehicles and pedestrians
• Storage of materials (particularly hazardous materials) and work equipment and
• Any other significant safety risks.

Health risks, including:

• The removal of asbestos
• Dealing with contaminated land
• Manual handling
• Use of hazardous substances, particularly where there is a need for health monitoring
• Reducing noise and vibration
• Work with ionising radiation and
• Any other significant health risks.

4. The health and safety file

• Layout and format
• Arrangements for the collection and gathering of information;
• Storage of information.