CDM & Principal Contractor
Assurance
Supporting Clients, Principal Designers and Principal Contractors to establish effective governance, understand and manage their duties and maintain proportionate assurance throughout project delivery.
Supporting effective CDM governance
Effective CDM arrangements depend on clear responsibilities, competent duty holders and proportionate management throughout the project lifecycle.
Harcon supports organisations and project teams in understanding and managing their duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Our consultancy and assurance extends across Clients, Principal Designers, Designers, Principal Contractors and Contractors, from early project development and design through to construction, delivery and close out.
What is CDM and why does it matter?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 establish the framework for managing health, safety and welfare throughout construction projects. They define duties for Clients, Designers, Principal Designers, Principal Contractors and Contractors from project development and design through to construction and completion.
Effective CDM management requires more than documentation. Responsibilities, competence, design risk, information, planning and construction arrangements need to be established, coordinated and monitored throughout the project.
Harcon provides practical support and independent assurance to help organisations establish and maintain proportionate CDM arrangements throughout project delivery.
Practical support throughout the project lifecycle
Harcon provides proportionate CDM consultancy and assurance aligned to the client’s duties, project arrangements, complexity and stage of delivery. Our support can be provided as a defined commission, through a formal project appointment or alongside existing project and delivery teams.
- CDM 2015 advice and duty holder support
- Client CDM advisory and governance support
- Pre Construction Information development and review
- Duty holder appointments and competence and capability assurance
- Design risk management and Principal Designer support
- Construction Phase Plan development and review
- Principal Contractor’s Representative appointments
- Principal Contractor management and assurance
- Contractor arrangements and construction phase assurance
- CDM compliance reviews, audits and reporting
- Ongoing CDM support through design, procurement, construction and close out
From documented arrangements to delivery
Effective Principal Contractor assurance considers whether the arrangements established for the construction phase are appropriate, implemented and maintained throughout delivery. Harcon provides proportionate review and assurance focused on both management arrangements and their practical application at the point of work.
Practical experience. Professional assurance.
Harcon combines CDM knowledge with practical experience of construction management and delivery. We understand how duties, management arrangements and documented controls need to translate into effective implementation throughout the project.
We work alongside Clients, Principal Designers, Principal Contractors and wider project teams, providing proportionate consultancy and independent assurance shaped around the requirements of the project and organisation.
CDM and Principal Contractor assurance in practice
Selected examples of how Harcon has supported organisations to strengthen Principal Contractor arrangements, develop management systems and demonstrate the capability required for complex construction and infrastructure delivery.
Harcon Solutions supported Track Civil Engineering Solutions throughout our Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence accreditation process. Their role included providing specialist advice, reviewing our management systems and assurance arrangements, identifying areas for improvement, and helping us prepare the documentation and evidence required to demonstrate compliance.
I consulted Harcon Solutions to provide a gap analysis and development of management systems at UK Rail Engineering (UKRE) to pass its Principal Contractor Licence audit. UKRE is a self delivering subcontractor, operating in the rail and civil engineering sectors across the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers to common questions about CDM 2015, duty holder responsibilities and Principal Contractor assurance.
When should Harcon be engaged for CDM support?
Can Harcon support Clients, Principal Designers and Principal Contractors?
Can Harcon act as the Principal Contractor’s Representative?
Can Harcon review an existing Construction Phase Plan?
How does Harcon support Principal Contractors?
Can Harcon undertake independent CDM and Principal Contractor assurance?
Related professional services
CDM and Principal Contractor requirements often interface with wider construction, engineering and organisational assurance. Explore related Harcon services that can support the wider project requirement.
Construction & Engineering Assurance
Engineering management, CEM and CRE support, temporary works oversight, Work Package development and construction assurance.
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Railway Industry Assurance
RISQS and Network Rail Principal Contractor Licensing, including organisational readiness, management systems and assurance.
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HSQE & Management Systems
Practical HSQE consultancy and integrated management systems aligned with recognised standards and organisational requirements.
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Retained Professional Services
Ongoing access to Harcon’s consultancy and assurance expertise across defined professional disciplines.
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Need CDM or Principal Contractor support?
Speak directly with Harcon about your project and the support you require, from CDM governance and duty holder support through to Principal Contractor management, assurance and formal Principal Contractor’s Representative appointments.