Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, who MUST take the general principles of prevention into account when there is only one contractor on a project?

The correct answer is that both designers and the contractor must take the general principles of prevention into account when there is only one contractor on a project. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015, all parties involved in the construction process are responsible for ensuring health and safety. This includes not only the contractor who is executing the work but also the designers who are responsible for planning and creating the project.

When there is only one contractor, the contractor has an obligation to manage health and safety risks effectively on-site, but designers also play a critical role in reducing risks through their design choices. This means that they must consider how their designs might impact health and safety during the construction phase and ensure that their designs facilitate safe working practices.

By incorporating the general principles of prevention—such as avoiding risks, evaluating risks that cannot be avoided, and controlling risks at source—both parties contribute to a safer working environment. The regulations emphasize that good design can lead to fewer risks associated with the construction work, which enhances overall safety.

In context, excluding either party from this responsibility would undermine the collaborative effort essential for managing health and safety effectively in construction projects. Thus, it is crucial for both designers and the contractor to work together to uphold the