L153: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

What is L153?

L153 is the HSE's industry guidance document that accompanies L144, the Approved Code of Practice for the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. While L144 provides the ACOP and core legal guidance, L153 offers practical, sector-specific guidance on how to apply CDM requirements in real-world construction scenarios.

L153 covers the common construction hazards, provides examples of good practice, and explains how CDM duties translate into practical action on construction projects. It is designed to be used alongside L144, not as a replacement for it.

The guidance addresses the full range of construction activities, from groundworks and structural work through to mechanical and electrical installations, finishing trades, and demolition. It provides the detailed practical information that contractors, designers, and clients need to implement CDM effectively.

Who Needs This Document?

L153 is essential reading for:

Principal contractors managing site health and safety
Site managers and supervisors implementing safe working practices
Contractors planning and executing construction work
Designers seeking to understand construction phase risks
Principal designers coordinating pre-construction information
Clients understanding what good CDM practice looks like
Project managers overseeing construction delivery
Health and safety advisors advising on construction sites
Trade contractors (groundworkers, steel erectors, roofers, etc.)
Facilities managers overseeing refurbishment and maintenance projects
Training providers teaching construction health and safety

Key Topics Covered

Managing Common Construction Hazards

L153 provides detailed guidance on managing the most significant construction hazards:

Falls from Height:

Working at height risk assessment
Collective protection (edge protection, netting, airbags)
Work equipment (scaffolds, MEWPs, ladders)
Roof work (fragile materials, edge protection)
Safe access and egress

Excavations and Groundworks:

Ground investigation before work
Supporting excavations
Preventing falls into excavations
Managing underground services
Cofferdams and caissons

Structural Stability:

Temporary works design and management
Sequence of erection and demolition
Propping and shoring
Avoiding premature loading

Working with Vehicles and Plant:

Traffic management plans
Segregating vehicles and pedestrians
Safe loading and unloading
Visibility and communication
Competent operators

Lifting Operations:

Planning lifts
Crane positioning and ground conditions
Lift plans and method statements
Exclusion zones
Competence of personnel

Demolition:

Survey before demolition
Demolition method statements
Sequence of operations
Pre-weakening structures
Exclusion zones and protective measures

Welfare Facilities

L153 covers the welfare requirements in Schedule 2 of CDM 2015:

Sanitary Conveniences:

Minimum numbers based on workforce size
Cleaning and maintenance
Lighting and ventilation
Suitable for all workers (including disabled access)

Washing Facilities:

Hot and cold running water
Soap and towels or drying facilities
Showers where required by the work

Drinking Water:

Adequate supply of wholesome water
Cups or drinking fountains
Clearly marked as drinking water

Changing Rooms and Lockers:

Secure storage for personal clothing
Facilities for drying wet clothing
Separate facilities where required

Rest Facilities:

Shelter from weather
Seating with backs
Heating where necessary
Facilities for preparing hot drinks and food
Facilities for pregnant women and nursing mothers

Site Organisation and Control

L153 addresses how to organise and control construction sites effectively:

Site Security:

Preventing unauthorised access
Protecting the public
Securing hazardous materials and equipment

Housekeeping:

Maintaining clear access routes
Removal of waste materials
Storage of materials
Lighting of working areas

Emergency Procedures:

Fire prevention and protection
First aid arrangements
Rescue procedures
Emergency routes and exits

Communication:

Site inductions
Toolbox talks
Method statement briefings
Reporting hazards and incidents

Coordination and Cooperation

L153 emphasises the importance of coordination between different parties:

Principal Contractor Duties:

Organising cooperation between contractors
Setting site rules
Coordinating overlapping activities
Managing shared risks

Contractor Cooperation:

Following principal contractor directions
Coordinating with other contractors
Sharing information about hazards
Participating in site meetings

Designer-Contractor Interface:

Communicating design intent
Highlighting residual risks
Providing information for safe construction
Feedback on buildability

Construction Phase Plan Development

L153 provides practical guidance on developing the construction phase plan:

Plan Contents:

Project description and key dates
Site rules and permitted working hours
Management structure and responsibilities
Arrangements for controlling significant site risks
Welfare arrangements
Emergency procedures
Fire prevention arrangements
First aid arrangements
Health and safety monitoring arrangements

Proportionality:

Simple plan for straightforward projects
More detailed plan for complex or high-risk projects
Focus on significant risks, not generic statements

Updating the Plan:

Review as the project progresses
Update for changes in work or circumstances
Keep records of revisions

Specific Work Activities

L153 covers requirements for specific construction activities:

Steel Erection:

Safe erection sequence
Provision of safe access
Prevention of falls
Stability during erection

Concrete Work:

Formwork and falsework
Striking procedures
Pre-stressed concrete
Post-tensioning operations

Roofing Work:

Edge protection
Fragile surfaces
Weather conditions
Access to roof areas

Electrical Installation:

Isolation procedures
Testing arrangements
Temporary electrical supplies
Coordination with building services

Legal Status

L153 is guidance rather than an ACOP, so it does not have the same legal status as L144. However, it represents what HSE considers good practice for managing construction health and safety. Following L153 guidance alongside L144 will help demonstrate that suitable arrangements are in place to manage construction risks.

Inspectors will expect to see the types of arrangements described in L153 on construction sites. Failure to implement reasonable measures addressed in L153 may be cited as evidence of inadequate management arrangements.

Why It Matters

Construction remains a high-risk industry requiring robust health and safety management:

The Continuing Challenge

Construction accounts for around 25% of workplace deaths each year
Falls from height remain the most common cause of fatal injuries
Being struck by moving vehicles is a major cause of death on sites
Collapses and being struck by falling objects cause significant harm
Musculoskeletal disorders affect many construction workers
Occupational diseases including asbestos-related cancers continue to claim lives

Why L153 Helps

Practical Solutions:

Concrete guidance on managing real construction risks
Examples of what good practice looks like
Proportionate approaches for different project scales

Common Standards:

Industry-wide understanding of expectations
Consistent approach across projects
Benchmarks for competence and performance

Prevention Focus:

Emphasis on planning to prevent incidents
Hierarchy of control applied to construction hazards
Coordination to manage interface risks

Consequences of Poor Practice

Human Cost:

Fatal and life-changing injuries to workers
Injuries to members of the public
Long-term health damage from occupational disease

Legal Consequences:

HSE enforcement including prohibition notices
Criminal prosecution of companies and individuals
Unlimited fines and potential imprisonment
Corporate manslaughter charges for gross failures

Business Impact:

Project delays from enforcement action
Loss of reputation and future work
Increased insurance premiums
Civil claims from injured parties

Relationship with L144

L153 should be used alongside L144:

Document	Focus	Status
L144	Legal duties and ACOP provisions	Approved Code of Practice
L153	Practical industry guidance	HSE Guidance

L144 tells you what you must do; L153 helps you understand how to do it in practice.

Key Hazard Controls Summary

Hazard	Key Controls in L153
Falls from height	Edge protection, scaffolds, nets, safe access
Excavation collapse	Shoring, battering, sheet piling, inspections
Vehicle movements	Traffic management, segregation, visibility
Structural collapse	Temporary works, sequence, competent supervision
Falling materials	Exclusion zones, netting, toe boards, housekeeping
Lifting operations	Planning, supervision, exclusion zones, competence

Further Resources

This page summarises HSE guidance L153. For full legal compliance, obtain and read the complete document from HSE. This summary is not a substitute for professional advice or the full guidance text.

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015