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HSE F10 Notification: Complete Guide to Notifying Construction Projects
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about the HSE F10 Notification.
This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and understanding required to navigate the HSE F10 Notification process seamlessly.
What is the HSE F10 Notification?
The HSE F10 Notification, is a legal requirement, as stated within the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, for all relevant construction projects in the United Kingdom.
The F10 is simply a notification to the HSE of relevant construction projects that are being undertaken within a given time and location.
Why is submitting an HSE F10 Notification important?
As stated above, the F10 Notification is a legal requirement for relevant projects.
Failure to submit accurate information in a timely manner, and ensure that the information is updated as required may possibly result in some form of penalty as it will be a breach of the CDM regulations.
Although it is the client’s duty to ensure the F10 is submitted, the contractors may also be charged with this breach.
If it has been noted by the project team (client, principal contractor or contractor) that the F10 has not been submitted, late is better than never. The HSE may ask for some information as to why the project was not initially notified.
What Projects Need to Submit an F10?
Not all projects need an HSE F10 to be submitted. There are specific requirements, stated within Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (Regulation 6 – Notification) that are used to establish if a project should submit an F10. These are that a project is notifiable if the construction work on a construction site is scheduled to:
- last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project;
- or (b) exceed 500 person days
Whose Duty is it to Submit the HSE F10 Notification
It is the Clients duty to submit the F10 Notification. In reality, the Client may instruct others to do this on their behalf (i.e. the Principal Contractor), but they still hold the duty and need to ensure that accurate information has been submitted as soon as practicable before the construction phase begins.
It is also the Clients duty to ensure that the F10 is updated, if required, due to changes in the project’s life i.e. duration of the project, Principal Contractor etc.
The Client also needs to ensure that an up-to-date copy of the notice is displayed in the construction site office, so it is accessible to anyone working on the site and in a form that can be easily understood.
Note: If a construction project is not notifiable at first, but there are subsequent changes to its scope so that it fits the criteria for notification, the client must notify the work to the relevant enforcing authority as soon as possible.
Displaying the HSE F10 Notification
An up-to-date copy of the F10 notice must be displayed in the construction site office, so it is accessible to anyone working on the site and in a form that can be easily understood.
This is the Clients duty, but usually, the Client passes this instruction on to the Principal Contractor to fulfil.
How to complete the HSE F10 Notification
Completing the HSE F10 Notification can seem daunting, and without the right preparation may take longer than it should. The information within this blog will help to make these notifications a simple and quick task.
It is always best if the client and principal contractor work together to gather the necessary information required for the notification which includes:
- The date of forwarding the notice.
- The address of the construction site or precise description of its location.
- The name of the local authority where the construction site is located.
- A brief description of the project and the construction work that it entails.
- The following contact details of the client: name, address, telephone number and (if available) an email address.
- The following contact details of the principal designer: name, address, telephone number and (if available) an email address.
- The following contact details of the principal contractor: name, address, telephone number and (if available) an email address.
- The date planned for the start of the construction phase.
- The time allocated by the client under regulation 4(1) for the construction work.
- The planned duration of the construction phase.
- The estimated maximum number of people at work on the construction site.
- The planned number of contractors on the construction site.
- The name and address of any contractor already appointed.
- The name and address of any designer already appointed.
- A declaration signed by or on behalf of the client that the client is aware of the client duties under these Regulations
How to Submit the F10 Information
Although the F10 Notification can be issued to the HSE by post, the easiest and quest way is via the HSE online system Notification of Construction.
This page gives a number of options, including:
- Create a F10 Notification (for your first submission);
- and Edit a F10 Notification (if you need to change details at a later date)
Following your submission of your F10 you will be issued with a unique serial number, that is in reference to the submission that you have made. You will need this serial number to access this notification at a later date if you need to make any amendments.
How to Submit the F10 Information
The key takeaways from this blog are:
- The HSE F10 Notification is a legal duty for which penalties may be given if it is not submitted for relevant projects.
- The F10 needs to be submitted as soon as practicable before the construction phase begins
- The information with the F10 needs to be accurate; this may mean that the F10 needs to be amended during the life of the project if changes occur i.e. project completion date, key roles etc.
- Keep a record of your F10 Notification serial number as issued by email from the HSE following the submission of the F10 Notification.
- An up-to-date copy of the F10 notice must be displayed in the construction site office, so it is accessible to anyone working on the site
Remember – for those projects that do not require to have an F10 notification, the CDM Regulation 2015 still apply to them.
Need further support?
Our Personalised Health and Safety Strategies can help you streamline your F10 notification process and ensure you’re compliant with the latest CDM Regulations.
Do you want better compliance?
Hey, I’m Alex Burbidge. I’m determined to make a business health and safety compliant. My only question is, will it be yours?
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Do you want better compliance?
Hey, I’m Alex Burbidge. I’m determined to make a business health and safety compliant. My only question is, will it be yours?
