How to submit an F10 notification to the HSE

You must notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by submitting an F10 notification before work begins on any construction project that is expected to last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers at any one time, or exceed 500 person days. While the legal responsibility to notify sits with the client, in practice, the Principal Contractor often completes the online form on the client’s behalf to ensure the project remains compliant with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015).

When is an F10 notification required?

Not every small job needs a notification. You only need to submit an F10 if your project is "notifiable." A project becomes notifiable if it meets either of the following criteria:

• It is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days AND has more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point in the project.
• It is scheduled to exceed 500 person days (for example, 50 people working for 10 days, or 10 people working for 50 days).

Whose responsibility is it?

Under CDM 2015, the Client (the person or company having the work done) is legally responsible for notifying the HSE. However, most commercial clients expect their Principal Contractor or Principal Designer to handle the paperwork. If you are working for a domestic client (a homeowner), the responsibility automatically passes to the contractor or the principal contractor unless there is a written agreement stating otherwise.

How to submit the F10

The process is handled entirely online through the HSE website. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth submission:

1. Gather Project Details: Before starting the form, ensure you have the full address of the site, a brief description of the works, and the planned start and end dates.
2. Identify Key Duty Holders: You will need the contact details (name, address, email) for the Client, the Principal Designer, and the Principal Contractor.
3. Estimate Manpower: Determine the maximum number of people expected on site at any one time and the total number of people planned to work on the project.
4. Complete the Online Form: Use the official HSE F10 service. It is a straightforward step-by-step process.
5. Submit and Save: Once submitted, you will receive a PDF copy of the notification.

Pro Tip: Always print a copy of the submitted F10 and display it clearly in the site office or welfare area. It is a legal requirement to have the notification visible on-site for the duration of the project.

Best practices

• Don't wait: Submit the F10 as soon as the project details are confirmed. It must be done before the construction phase begins.
• Updates: If the project details change significantly (e.g., the Principal Contractor changes or the duration is extended by several months), you should update the existing notification rather than starting a new one.
• Record Keeping: Keep a digital copy of the F10 in your project folder and include it in the final Health and Safety File delivered to the client at the end of the job.