CDM Principal Contractor Services
Principal Contractor Fined After Worker Falls Through ‘Almost Invisible’ Rooflight
A recent prosecution has once again highlighted why the role of the Principal Contractor is so important on construction projects of all sizes. The case centred on roof works where inadequate planning and supervision led to a worker falling through a fragile rooflight that was described as being “almost invisible” to those working on the roof.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that appointing a competent Principal Contractor is not simply a legal requirement under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) – it is fundamental to protecting workers and ensuring construction projects are delivered safely.
What Happened?
The injured worker was carrying materials across the warehouse roof while installing temporary scaffolding edge protection when he stepped onto a fragile rooflight and fell to the concrete floor below. He suffered a broken arm, a broken leg and head injuries after first striking a pallet truck during the fall.
The Health and Safety Executive found that both companies involved had failed to properly plan, manage and monitor the roof work. No adequate measures were in place to prevent falls from the roof edge or through fragile roof elements, and the rooflights were said to be almost invisible to workers on the surface.
The HSE concluded that the Principal Contractor had failed to adequately plan, manage and monitor the construction phase, resulting in workers being exposed to foreseeable risks associated with fragile roof surfaces and falls from height.
Enforcement followed quickly. Both businesses pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. One was fined £26,000 with costs of £2,866, while the other was fined £53,300 with costs of £3,167.
The Legal Duties of a Principal Contractor
Under CDM 2015, a Principal Contractor must be appointed where more than one contractor will work on a project. Their core duty is to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate the construction phase so that work is carried out without risks to health and safety.
Under CDM 2015, the Principal Contractor is also responsible for preparing, developing and implementing the Construction Phase Plan, ensuring that arrangements for managing health and safety remain suitable throughout the project.
Key responsibilities include:
- Planning construction work so it can be carried out safely.
- Managing health and safety throughout the project.
- Monitoring work activities and contractor performance.
- Coordinating multiple contractors working on site.
- Providing suitable site inductions and information.
- Ensuring risks are identified and controlled before work begins.
- Maintaining safe access and egress arrangements.
- Preventing unauthorised access to the construction site.
In practical terms, that means the Principal Contractor should make sure that:
- Fragile surfaces and rooflights are identified before work starts.
- Suitable edge protection is installed.
- Coverings or barriers are provided over fragile areas.
- Safe systems of work are communicated to all operatives.
- Workers receive appropriate supervision and training.
Where these controls are absent, the consequences can be life-changing.
Why Proper Planning Matters
The phrase “plan, manage and monitor” appears throughout CDM 2015 for a reason. Risks associated with roof work, fragile surfaces and falls from height are well known. They should be addressed before work begins, not discovered when workers are already exposed.
A competent Principal Contractor should ensure the roof is surveyed, fragile areas are identified, suitable protection is installed, safe access routes are defined, and operatives are briefed and supervised against a clear Construction Phase Plan. Where these fundamentals are missing, serious incidents become far more likely.
While this incident involved roof work, the lessons apply equally to office refurbishments, fit-outs, school projects, warehouse alterations and new-build developments. Wherever multiple contractors are working together, effective planning, coordination and supervision are essential to maintaining safety and compliance.
Does Your Project Require a Principal Contractor?
Many clients are still unaware that they also hold legal duties under CDM 2015. If a project involves more than one contractor, the client must appoint a competent Principal Contractor and Principal Designer in writing. Failing to make these appointments does not remove the client’s legal duties. Instead, it can create gaps in planning, coordination and accountability, increasing the likelihood of enforcement action should something go wrong.
This case demonstrates exactly why that appointment matters. When roof work is not properly planned and monitored, the consequences can be severe for workers, costly for businesses, and reputationally damaging for everyone involved.
At Richardson-Hill, we provide experienced Principal Contractor services across a wide range of construction and refurbishment projects. Our team works proactively to plan, manage and monitor construction activities, helping clients meet their CDM responsibilities while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Whether your project involves roof works, office fit-outs, refurbishment or new build, we work proactively to reduce risk, maintain compliance and support efficient delivery without losing sight of the practical realities on site.
Need a Principal Contractor?
If you are planning a project involving more than one contractor and require Principal Contractor services in London and the South East, Richardson-Hill can help. We work with clients from the earliest stages of a project to establish clear responsibilities, effective planning and robust site controls, helping ensure construction work is delivered safely and in compliance with CDM 2015. Call us now for help and advice.
