A Safer Decade: How CDM 2015 Has Influenced Construction Accident Rates

Since the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) came into force, the UK construction industry has undergone a decade of evolution in how health and safety is managed, coordinated, and prioritised. One of the most telling measures of success is accident data — and while no single regulation can claim full credit, there is clear evidence that CDM 2015 has contributed to sustained improvements in site safety and risk management across the sector.

The State of Play in 2015
When CDM 2015 replaced the 2007 version, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recorded that construction accounted for around 30% of all workplace fatalities in Great Britain, despite employing less than 5% of the workforce. Falls from height, struck-by incidents, and collapses dominated the statistics.

The new regulations aimed to address these underlying causes by embedding health and safety considerations earlier in the project lifecycle — focusing on design risk management, competence, and communication rather than relying solely on enforcement at site level.

Designing Out Risk
One of CDM 2015’s most effective contributions has been its emphasis on risk elimination through design. By requiring designers and principal designers to identify and mitigate risks at the earliest stages, many traditional accident scenarios are now being reduced before they ever reach site.

For example, safer access routes, prefabricated components, and reduced working-at-height operations are now standard considerations during design reviews. This shift has directly contributed to a decline in major injury rates related to falls and temporary works incidents over the last decade.

Improved Coordination and Competence
The introduction of the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor roles established clear leadership for managing risk across multi-stakeholder projects. Better coordination of health and safety information, combined with greater scrutiny of competence, has led to fewer gaps between design intent and site execution.

The HSE’s most recent figures (2023/24) show that fatal injuries in construction are now less than half the levels seen prior to 2010, and reportable non-fatal injuries continue to decline year on year. While the sector still accounts for a disproportionate share of serious accidents, the downward trend suggests that the collaborative structure created by CDM 2015 is working as intended.

Cultural Change Over Compliance
Perhaps CDM 2015’s biggest legacy is cultural. The regulations encouraged organisations to move beyond compliance-based paperwork toward genuine ownership of health and safety. Clients, designers, and contractors now understand that accident prevention starts long before site mobilisation — through informed planning, clear communication, and competent people.

Initiatives such as digital safety briefings, pre-construction coordination meetings, and early involvement of temporary works coordinators are now common, creating safer environments and better-informed teams.

Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The construction industry still records around 30–40 fatalities per year, with small contractors and refurbishment projects representing the highest risks. Continuous training, supervision, and early risk communication remain vital.

As the industry transitions toward digital design, modular construction, and net-zero objectives, CDM principles will need to evolve further — ensuring that safety remains embedded within innovation.

Conclusion
Ten years after implementation, CDM 2015 has clearly influenced safer practices and reduced accident rates across UK construction. By placing risk management at the heart of design and decision-making, it has transformed how the industry approaches safety — from the drawing board to the site gate.

If you’d like expert support in reducing construction risk and meeting your CDM 2015 duties, contact us today. We help clients, designers, and contractors embed practical safety solutions that meet legal requirements and protect everyone involved in construction.