Basement construction is one of the highest-risk forms of residential building work. Our CDM-led health and safety management ensures every excavation, temporary work and structural sequence is planned, controlled and compliant from day one.

CDM 2015 Compliance for Luxury Basement Projects

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 place strict legal duties on clients, designers and contractors—particularly on high-risk works such as basement excavation, underpinning and structural alteration.

Basement Structures North manages CDM compliance in-house, acting as Principal Contractor and working closely with appointed Principal Designers to ensure risk is designed out wherever possible. This approach protects homeowners, neighbouring properties and everyone working on site.

Our health and safety systems are tailored specifically to complex basement environments, including confined spaces, temporary works, groundwater management and work beneath existing structures.

CDM risk management for basement excavation
Basement construction health and safety site controls

Principal Contractor Health & Safety Management

As Principal Contractor, we take full responsibility for site safety, coordination and compliance throughout the construction phase. This includes method statements, risk assessments, inductions, supervision and ongoing monitoring.

Our teams operate under BS 5975-1:2024 temporary works procedures, with appointed Temporary Works Coordinators (TWC) and Supervisors (TWS), ensuring excavation support, propping and sequencing are properly controlled.

This level of control is essential on premium residential sites, particularly in dense urban locations, conservation areas and properties with close neighbours.

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safety & compliance

A Robust, Auditable Safety Framework

Designed for High-Value Residential Projects

Our CDM and health & safety systems are structured to satisfy local authorities, insurers, structural warranty providers and professional teams.

We prepare and manage Construction Phase Plans, risk registers, COSHH assessments, emergency procedures and neighbour protection strategies, all proportionate to the complexity of basement construction.

This proactive approach reduces delays, avoids enforcement action and gives clients confidence that their project is being managed responsibly and professionally.

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Basement construction safety planning and CDM compliance

Start Your Basement Construction in Northern England

30+ years delivering engineered basements designed by RIBA architects, chartered engineers and CSSW waterproofing specialists.

Fully insured with CAR/PL/EL & PI, and compliant with BS 8102:2022 and BS 5975-1:2024.

We deliver high-end new-build and retro-fit basements across Cheshire, Yorkshire, Newcastle and the Lake District — managing design, temporary works, waterproofing and construction in-house for a seamless shell & core build.

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questions/answers

Health & Safety and CDM FAQs

Yes. Basement excavation and structural alteration are classed as high-risk construction works and are fully subject to CDM 2015, regardless of whether the project is residential.

Duties are shared between the client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor. We manage contractor-side duties in full and support clients in meeting their legal responsibilities.

Basement works involve excavation beneath existing structures, temporary support, groundwater control and confined spaces—making them inherently higher risk than standard construction.

Yes. All temporary works are managed under BS 5975-1:2024 with appointed TWC and TWS roles, ensuring excavation support systems are properly designed, checked and monitored.

No. When properly managed, CDM improves efficiency by reducing risk, avoiding incidents and preventing enforcement delays or redesign during construction.