Inside the CDM Advisor Role: A Real Week on the Job

Inside the Role: Being a CDM Advisor

The role of a CDM Advisor is one that often operates behind the scenes, but plays a critical part in ensuring health and safety is embedded in every stage of a construction project. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, we act as a vital link between duty holders – Clients, Principal Designers, and Principal Contractors – helping them understand and fulfil responsibilities both effectively and legally.

No two weeks are the same, but most involve a combination of early planning, site visits, design support, documentation reviews, and plenty of conversation. So, what does a real week look like in this role?

Starting the Week: Supporting the Client Early

At the beginning of the week, a large part of the focus is on helping clients understand their legal obligations – particularly those who are not familiar with the construction industry. Many clients don’t realise they have CDM duties at all, so we step in early to offer clear, practical advice.

We often help prepare or review the Pre-Construction Information (PCI), making sure it’s comprehensive, relevant, and shared early enough to inform design and planning decisions. It’s also the point where we advise clients on assessing the competence of those they appoint, ensuring the right people are in the right roles from the outset.

Early involvement also means we can guide conversations around design risks before they’re locked in. This proactive approach saves time, money, and enhances safety.

Midweek: Collaborating with the Design Team

Much of the midweek focus shifts toward working with Principal Designers and the wider design team. Our role is to help embed health and safety into the design process from the beginning, not as an afterthought.

We often support the development and maintenance of the Designer Risk Register, treating it not just as a compliance document but as a live tool for real-time decision-making. This includes facilitating design risk review meetings, where we encourage all designers to contribute, identify significant risks, and clearly record any residual hazards. Our approach helps promote a shared understanding of responsibilities across the team and encourages design decisions that prioritise buildability and safety.

These sessions often lead to valuable discussions that improve not just safety, but the overall delivery of the project.

Throughout the Week: Supporting the Principal Contractor

As projects move into the construction phase, our attention naturally shifts to supporting Principal Contractors. One of our key roles here is reviewing or helping to develop the Construction Phase Plan (CPP) in making sure it isn’t just a box-ticking document, but one that’s truly tailored to the specific risks and logistics of the site.

We also assist with RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements), safety briefings, and toolbox talks. It’s about making sure that plans are implemented effectively, and that everyone on site understands their role in maintaining a safe working environment.

Regular site visits and audits are also a core part of the job. These visits provide a fresh, independent perspective, and often help catch issues before they escalate. Sometimes, it’s something simple, like poor housekeeping or a missed update to access routes but these details matter.

On Site: Audits, Conversations, and Real-World Insight

While a lot of CDM work happens in design meetings, on calls or behind a screen, nothing replaces being on site. Therefore, regular visits and audits play a vital role. They let us observe conditions first-hand, talk directly with site teams, and identify issues that often don’t show up in paperwork.

We don’t visit sites to find fault but to work collaboratively and help maintain a safe, well-managed environment. Sometimes we flag a blocked fire exit, clarify a point in the RAMS, or ask a key question that prompts teams to rethink how they’re phasing the works.

We also support toolbox talks, briefings, and walkarounds, which help reinforce safety culture across the team. These informal moments often spark valuable insights. They create space for honest, practical conversations and help strengthen communication between site teams and management.

This was especially evident on our recent Newtons Cove project, where site visits and proactive conversations helped resolve any issues early before they had a chance to affect safety or scheduling.

In addition, when employees feel like their safety is being taken seriously, they are more likely to be motivated and productive. That’s why being present on site isn’t just about spotting risks – it’s about reinforcing a culture where safety is part of how the team works, day in and day out.

End of the Week: Coordinating and Communicating

By the end of the week, it’s about reviewing what’s been done, reporting back to teams, and looking ahead. Whether it’s a formal report or a quick phone call to clarify an issue, communication is key.

Being a skilled CDM Advisor means more than just knowing the regulations. It means being able to connect the dots between Clients, Designers, and Contractors, and bridging communication gaps that can often lead to misunderstandings or safety oversights.

Our approach isn’t about adding delay but about integrating safety intelligently by tailoring our input to the needs of the project, and supporting duty holders in meeting their responsibilities without disrupting progress.

More Than Just Compliance

At its core, the role of a CDM Advisor is about being a trusted and proactive partner – someone who understands both the legal requirements and the practical realities of construction.

By getting involved early, facilitating open dialogue, and flagging risks before they become problems, we help improve coordination, reduce delays, and ensure smoother, safer delivery on site.

Ultimately, our goal is simple but vital: to help teams deliver safe, compliant projects – and make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of each day.