a brief description of the work carried out.
any hazards that have not been eliminated through the design and construction processes, and how they have been addressed (e.g. surveys or other information concerning asbestos or contaminated land).
key structural principles (e.g. bracing, sources of substantial stored energy – including pre- or post-tensioned members) and safe working loads for floors and roofs.
hazardous materials used (e.g. lead paints and special coatings).
information regarding the removal or dismantling of installed plant and equipment (e.g. any special arrangements for lifting such equipment).
health and safety information about equipment provided for cleaning or maintaining the structure.
the nature, location and markings of significant services, including underground cables; gas supply equipment; fire-fighting services etc.
information and as-built drawings of the building, its plant and equipment (e.g. the means of safe access to and from service voids and fire doors).
There should be enough detail to allow the likely risks to be identified and addressed by those carrying out the work and be proportionate to those risks.
The file should not include things that will be of no help when planning future construction work such as pre-construction information, the construction phase plan, contractual documents, safety method statements etc. Information must be in a convenient form, clear, concise and easily understandable.
Health & Safety Files
T: 01344 304 800
What is in a Health & Safety File?
As required by the CDM Regulations 2015, when preparing an H&S File, information on the following should be considered for inclusion:
Full H&S File Service (provision of file from commencement to completion)
H&S File Draft Service (where GHPC would prepare a draft H&S File on completion of the Pre-Construction Stage to handover to the Principal Contractor)
H&S File Review Service (where the Client / Developer / Principal Contractor or other party has prepared the H&S File and it needs to be reviewed by a competent CDM Expert prior to handover to the end user).
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t: 01344 304 800
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Home > Services > Construction Support Services > Health & Safety Files
With our extensive experience of the CDM Regulations, GHPC can provide a range of H&S File services to Clients, to meet development requirements (and can also provide O&M Manual services).
GHPC H&S File Services
Standard practice is to provide an H&S File for each of the individual companies who will own/manage structures/units within their control i.e. a theatre commissioning refurbishment / extension works, the owners of a newly constructed supermarket, a Management Company managing a block of flats, a Housing Association managing a set of units within a wider development, a Local Authority adopting a Pumping Station and Roads/Sewers within the same development.
For private owners of newly constructed domestic properties, the NHBC Purchaser Manual / HBF HSE Info Card (or similar) would commonly be provided to individual privately owned units.
Our H&S File services can therefore be delivered to suit the needs of your project, whether or not we are acting as Principal Designer, and depending on what stage the project is at. This includes:
What is a Health & Safety File?
The Health & Safety File is defined as a file appropriate to the characteristics of the project, containing relevant health and safety information to be taken into account during any subsequent project. The file is only required for projects involving more than one contractor.
The H&S File must contain information about the current project that is likely to be needed to ensure health and safety during any subsequent work such as maintenance, cleaning, refurbishment or demolition.
An H&S File is often part of an overall “Building Manual”, which incorporates a Health & Safety File, Operating & Maintenance Manual and a Building User Guide.
It should be noted that an H&S File is separate to the O&M Manual which contains detailed information which is required by the building owner and occupier to operate and maintain the facility. It contains information regarding the general structure as well as the systems installed.