Construction & CDM Support
We help construction clients, principal contractors and contractors understand and manage their CDM duties without the jargon.
CDM duties made manageable
The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 place real responsibilities on everyone involved in a construction project from the client who commissions the work, to the principal contractor managing the site, to the individual contractors carrying out the tasks. Getting it right matters, but the requirements can be difficult to navigate, particularly for organisations without a dedicated health and safety resource.
Many businesses find that they simply do not have the in-house expertise or capacity to manage CDM effectively alongside everything else a project demands. Safety Assistance acts as an extension of your team providing practical, qualified support so that your duties are understood, documented and discharged properly.
Whether you are a commercial client commissioning a project, a principal contractor managing the project, or a contractor needing support with documentation and compliance, we can help you work through what is required and put the right arrangements in place.
We work with construction businesses nationwide, providing support that is proportionate to the size and complexity of your project rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
How we can help
Client CDM Advisor
We work alongside commercial clients to help them understand their duties under CDM, manage the pre-construction information process, and ensure the right appointments and arrangements are in place throughout the project.
Principal Contractor CDM Support
We support principal contractors in developing and maintaining their construction phase plan, managing health and safety on site, and demonstrating compliance with CDM requirements throughout the build.
Construction Site Audits
We carry out on-site audits of health, safety and welfare arrangements, checking systems and practices against legislative requirements and recognised best practice standards.
Contractor Support
We provide practical support to contractors who need risk assessments, method statements, competent person assistance or help meeting the requirements of their principal contractor or client.
RAMS and Documentation
We help contractors and principal contractors produce clear, site-specific risk assessments and method statements that meet client and regulatory requirements.
Our qualifications and experience
Safety Assistance Limited was founded by Stephen Shields, who holds Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) status, the NEBOSH Diploma, the NEBOSH Fire certificate, and Lead Auditor qualifications for ISO 45001 and ISO 9001. The wider team are Members of IOSH and hold relevant safety qualifications and experience in the fields they are assigned to.
The team has direct, practical experience working with construction clients, principal contractors and contractors across a range of project types. We understand the pressures of a live construction project and aim to provide support that is useful and proportionate rather than bureaucratic.
Safety Assistance Limited holds Cyber Essentials accreditation and carries Professional Indemnity insurance of £5 million and Public Liability insurance of £10 million.
We are a Once For All approved partner, which means we are well placed to support contractors and principal contractors working through supply chain accreditation requirements.
Common CDM questions
What is a Client CDM Advisor and do I need one?
A Client CDM Advisor works alongside a commercial client to help them understand and discharge their duties under the CDM Regulations 2015. Clients have responsibilities that apply regardless of project size including ensuring suitable management arrangements are in place and that the right duty holders are appointed. Many clients appoint an advisor because they do not have the in-house expertise to manage this themselves. If you are commissioning construction work and are unsure what is expected of you, speaking to an advisor early is a sensible step.
What support can Safety Assistance provide to a principal contractor?
We can support principal contractors with developing and maintaining their construction phase plan, carrying out site audits, reviewing health and safety arrangements, and providing competent person support. We work as an extension of your team rather than an external inspector, so the focus is on helping you get things right rather than simply identifying problems.
Do I need CDM support if my project is relatively small?
CDM duties apply to all construction projects, not just large or complex ones. The level of documentation and management required is proportionate to the risks involved, but clients, principal contractors and contractors all have responsibilities from the outset. If you are unsure what applies to your project, a short conversation with us will help clarify what is needed.
How does Safety Assistance work alongside our existing team?
We act as an extension of your team rather than a replacement for it. We can work with your site managers, project managers and existing health and safety staff to fill gaps in expertise or capacity, provide a second opinion, or take on specific tasks such as auditing or documentation. The arrangement is tailored to what you actually need.
Related services
RAMS and Documentation
Risk assessments and method statements produced quickly and to a professional standard.
Audits and Inspections
On-site and remote health and safety audits against recognised standards and best practice.
Accreditation Support
Help achieving CHAS, SSIP, Constructionline, SafeContractor and other supply chain accreditations.
FastRAMS
A mobile app for producing site-specific RAMS quickly — useful for contractors working on live projects.
Talk to us about your project
We support construction clients, principal contractors and contractors nationwide call, email or use the contact form to start the conversation.