The construction phase plan

The construction phase plan is defined in regulation 2(1) in the CDM Regulations as meaning

The construction phase plan is a document, and therefore must be kept in a form that is reproducible and secure as required by regulation 2(2), which states that

The principal contractor takes the primary responsibility for the management of health and safety on a construction site where there is more than one contractor, and the Regulations ensure that the principal contractor has the sole responsibility for the preparation of the construction phase plan. The success in improving the management of health and safety in construction will rely heavily on the effectiveness of the construction phase plan drafted for the project. Where there is only one contractor on a site, the sole contractor is responsible for the construction phase plan. The ‘transparency’ of the construction phase plan and its effectiveness will also be one of the measures that the Health and Safety Executive (‘the Executive’) will be able to use as part of monitoring and investigating any accidents. It will undoubtedly be the first source of information that any health and safety inspector would wish to see on visiting a site or investigating an accident. The construction phase plan is likely to be vital evidence in the Executive's decision-making process when considering enforcement action or prosecution. Equally, in the pursuance of any civil proceedings for injury or death, the construction phase plan will be important evidence.