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Legal, insurance and safety

CDM 2015 for plant hire companies

How the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 affect plant hire firms: duty holders, operated hire as a contractor, and what to do in practice.

Guide specPHSUG-98
Read time5 min
LevelIntermediate
Your roleContractor
UpdatedOct 2026

Key takeaways

  • The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to construction work in Great Britain.
  • Duty holders include the client, principal designer, principal contractor, designers and contractors.
  • Operated hire usually makes you a contractor under CDM.
  • Self-drive hire is supply of equipment; PUWER and your hire terms still apply.

What CDM 2015 is

CDM 2015 sets out how health and safety is managed on construction projects of every size, from domestic extensions to major infrastructure. It defines who does what, how information is shared and how work is planned and coordinated.

Duty holders

RoleMain duties (summary)
ClientMake suitable arrangements for managing the project; appoint principal designer and contractor where needed
Principal designerPlan and coordinate health and safety in the pre-construction phase
Principal contractorPlan, manage and coordinate the construction phase; site rules and induction
DesignerEliminate or reduce foreseeable risks in their designs
ContractorPlan, manage and monitor their own work; competent workers; cooperate

Summary only. See HSE's guidance on CDM 2015.

Where a hire firm fits

ServiceUsual CDM position
Operated hireContractor: you carry out construction work
Self-drive hireSupplier of equipment; the hirer is the contractor
Delivery and collectionWork on site under the principal contractor's rules

Your duties as a contractor

  • Plan, manage and monitor your work so it's safe.
  • Make sure operators are competent and have site inductions; see training.
  • Provide RAMS where required; see RAMS.
  • Follow the principal contractor's directions and site rules.
  • Report problems and cooperate with others on site.
  • On small domestic jobs with only one contractor, you may carry more of the planning duties.

In practice

  • Ask for the construction phase plan or site rules before operated hire starts.
  • Induct your operator on each site.
  • Keep timesheets, RAMS and briefing records.
  • Include CDM responsibilities in your operated hire terms.

FAQs

Common questions

Does CDM 2015 apply to plant hire companies?
It applies to construction work. A plant hire firm supplying an operator usually acts as a contractor under CDM; self-drive hire is mainly supply of equipment, though delivery work on site follows site rules.
What are a contractor's duties under CDM?
Plan, manage and monitor their own work, use competent workers, provide information and cooperate with others, following the principal contractor's directions.
Does CDM apply to domestic projects?
Yes. On domestic projects, client duties usually pass to the contractor or principal contractor.

This guide is general information for people setting up a plant hire business in the UK. It is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Rules and thresholds change, so check current guidance on GOV.UK and take advice from an accountant, solicitor or broker before acting.