CDM 2015: The 9 Principles of Prevention

This blog was updated in August 2022 to reflect the updated NEBOSH course offering. 

All designers and contractors involved in the planning and execution of construction work must take into account the general principles of prevention when carrying out their respective duties. As a fundamental requirement of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the principles provide a framework to identify and implement practical and procedural measures to protect the safety and health of workers, and those who may be adversely affected by work activities.

In practice, the general principles of prevention require an approach that goes beyond ‘simple’ methodologies, such as the hierarchy of control. So, just what are these general principles of prevention and how might they be applied in practice?

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9 Principles of Prevention

1. Avoid Risks

Logically, the most effective way of avoiding risk is to entirely eliminate the hazard that gives rise to risk in the first place.

Example: The hazards associated with entering underground chambers in sewage treatment plants include surface and foul water systems.  If the design can be changed so that such places are open to the general atmosphere and well ventilated, those hazards won’t be present.

2. Evaluate Risks That Can’t be Avoided

When evaluating risks, it’s important to take a structured and collaborative approach; communication between designers and contractors is essential if the risks are to be adequately evaluated.  Designers need to liaise with others to establish how different aspects of designs interact and influence health and safety.  Design reviews that focus on health and safety issues, alongside other key aspects of the project, should also be carried out.

3. Combat Risks' Source

Risks should be addressed, or dealt with, at the source. In other words, the control measures should be close to the danger point and effective in reducing the risk.

Example: Wood dust can be harmful if inhaled. Circular saws with effective mechanical dust extraction systems are designed so that the dust is immediately captured at the point of creation, combating the risk at the source.

4. Adapt the Work to the Individual

Just like physical limitations, people have limits when it comes to their ability to analyse cognitive data, such as instructions or instrumentation readings. Monotonous work can be alleviated by adapting the design of workplaces, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods.

Example: The working environment can be a source of stress when it is too hot, too cold or too noisy. Adding in repetitive, monotonous tasks can increase risk. By involving those who carry out the work, or the end users of the structure, when considering such ergonomic issues is a useful way of ensuring those risks are minimised.

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5. Adapt to Technical Progress

Technology continues to influence the modern workplace, so it’s important to keep informed about the latest technical knowledge when selecting working methods, equipment, materials and work equipment. In general, technical progress leads to improved performance, better ergonomics and reduced risks.

Example: Work in confined spaces may expose people to non-respirable atmospheres, and toxic and flammable gases.  Older gas monitoring equipment has now largely been replaced with multi-function gas detectors. New technology has also led to video systems that can remotely inspect confined spaces such as sewers.

6. Replace the Dangerous with Non or Less Dangerous

Commonly known as ‘substitution’, this principle involves reviewing the choices that are available and then selecting the ones that either pose no danger to workers, or selecting the ones where the dangers are reduced.  A broad sweep of hazards in the working environment, the task, materials, plant and tools, should be considered. Substitution can also involve changing the proposed process.

Example: Mechanical fixing systems can reduce the overall risk when compared to alternative chemical fixing systems.  Water-based paints can be substituted for those that contain harmful solvents. Using low-temperature asphalt can helps prevent exposure to toxic substances when carrying out road repairs.

Designers and contractors should ensure they are aware of what is available to substitute with safer alternatives.

7. Develop a Coherent Prevention Policy

This could cover technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and more. This one speaks for itself but reinforces the fact that a company needs to take control of the management of itself and not leave it to an external body or consultant.

8. Give Collective Protective Measures Priority

Collective protective measures control the risks to more than one person and have major advantages over individual protective measures.  Personal protective measures rarely prevent accidents from occurring. Instead, they may mitigate the outcome, but only if they are correctly fitted and worn.

Example: A properly fixed and positioned guard rail at the edge of a working platform protects everyone from falling and requires no action by the workers who benefit from it.  Safety harnesses, however, require individuals to make use of them. They need suitable anchorages and fall arrest devices that must be available and suitably maintained. Harnesses often create considerable practical difficulties in their use. Hence, the likelihood of harnesses achieving the same degree of success as a guard rail in preventing injuries is small.

9. Provide Appropriate Instructions to Employees

Instructions should be communicated in a way that is readily understood by the workers. In other words, be both comprehensible and relevant.  Common communication techniques include induction training, toolbox talks, daily briefings, and providing written or pictorial instructions.

Given the complexity of challenges that the construction industry faces in terms of operational risks, an integrative approach by designers and contractors when planning construction work is essential if risks are to be effectively managed.  ‘ERIC Saves People’ (ERIC-SP) is certainly a useful starting point, however, taking account of all of the general principles of prevention is a fundamental requirement of CDM 2015.

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