Principal Contractor
By the Riskora Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Under CDM 2015, the principal contractor is the contractor appointed by the client to control the construction phase of any project involving more than one contractor.
The principal contractor plans, manages, monitors and coordinates work on site. They prepare the construction phase plan, ensure suitable site rules are in place, and check that contractors and workers are properly briefed and inducted.
They are also the gatekeeper for safety documentation. RAMS submitted by subcontractors are reviewed by the principal contractor (or their H&S team) before work is allowed to start.
The role exists because most construction safety failures happen at the interfaces between trades — and someone has to own those interfaces.
Why it matters
If your RAMS is being reviewed, it is almost always being reviewed by the principal contractor's team. Understanding what they are looking for is the difference between a document that is approved on first submission and one that is sent back two or three times.