What Is The HSE’S F10 Notification Form?

F10 is the code given to the form you need to use to notify the HSE about a construction project. Notifying the HSE about construction work is a legal requirement, but not all construction projects need to be notified, only those that meet the notification thresholds.

In this blog post, we will look into the F10, why it is needed, who completes it, when to submit it, and what information to include.

Why do you need to complete the F10 notification form?

We already mentioned legal requirements. The need to notify the HSE about construction work comes under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (often referred to as the CDM regulations). CDM applies to every construction project (but not every construction needs to be notified - more on that later).

Regulation 6 sets out the duty that a client has to notify the relevant enforcing authority of certain construction projects.

The law requires notice in writing, and F10 is simply the reference the HSE has given to the specific form used to send this notification. It's a standard form that asks for details about the project - like when the work will take place, where, and who by.

Next time you hear someone ask for an F10, you know they are referring to the notification submitted to the HSE about a construction project. And now you know the F10 notification form is the form you will use to notify the HSE of your construction project. But what information is needed, and who needs to complete it?

Who completes the F10?

Since 2015, notifying the HSE about a construction project became the responsibility of the client. The client has to make sure that the HSE has been notified of the project, and it's a client duty to give that notice.

2. Where a project is notifiable, the client must give notice in writing to the Executive as soon as is practicable before the construction phase begins.

Previously, this duty was carried out by a CDM expert, the CDM coordinator. But, since the CDM coordinator role no longer exists, it is the client who must pick up this particular requirement. The client may be assisted by the principal designer (who needs to be appointed on any project with more than one contractor), however, the ultimate responsibility to notify is on the client.

But notifying the HSE shouldn't be a cause for concern. The F10 is a simple form, and notification can even be done online, so it doesn't need to cost you anything other than 10 minutes of your time.

When should the F10 be submitted?

2. Where a project is notifiable, the client must give notice in writing to the Executive as soon as is practicable before the construction phase begins.

If your project is notifiable, you need to give notice as soon you can, and before the construction phase begins. Chances are, if you're planning a construction project, you know ahead of time. You need time to get the funds together, to get the design done, to choose your team etc. So during this planning stage is when you should notify the HSE by submitting the F10 form.

But not all projects need to be notified.

Not all construction projects need to be notified to the HSE. Only the bigger ones. Not because bigger projects are more dangerous - all construction projects can be risky. And not because CDM only applies to bigger projects - CDM applies to all construction projects.

• Small projects can still be dangerous
• CDM still applies to projects that are not notifiable
• The HSE can still inspect projects that have not been notified

But the HSE only requires notification of projects that reach certain thresholds. If your project meets or exceeds the notification thresholds, then you need to let the HSE know about it. Your project needs to be notified if it lasts over 30 days with more than 20 workers at any one time, or if your project lasts more than 500 person-days.

We have a more detailed post on checking if your project is notifiable in How To Calculate If Your Construction Project Is CDM Notifiable. Not sure if your project is notifiable? Use our free CDM 2015 notification calculator.

What happens if you forget or submit the F10 late?

Forgetting about the F10 or failing to notify could land you in some trouble since it's a legal requirement. And as an enforcing authority, the HSE can and does take people to court over CDM breaches.

Find out more about CDM prosecutions in 95 CDM 2015 Prosecutions (Breaches, Fines And Prison Time)

As we have already discussed, the law requires the F10 to be submitted before work starts on site. And while the notification is a client duty, it wouldn't just be the client's fault if they forget to notify. It could be a breach by all the other duty holders too. Because all duty holders, including designers and contractors, have a duty to ensure the client is aware of their duties. And they shouldn't commence work unless they are satisfied that the client is aware of what they need to do under CDM. And the notification needs to be displayed in the site office, so contractors can check with the client before work starts if the F10 is available.

3. The notice must—
   1. contain the particulars specified in Schedule 1;
   2. be clearly displayed in the construction site office in a comprehensible form where it can be read by any worker engaged in the construction work; and
   3. if necessary, be periodically updated.

If your project is notifiable, then ideally, your notification should be submitted early in the planning process. However, it is still possible to submit the F10 late, and it's better late than never. The sooner you realise your mistake, get your notification submitted, and put arrangements in place to prevent missing it next time. It would likely be on a case by case basis if the HSE require any further information for failing to notify on time.

Use the free CDM compliance checklist to help you stay on top of all your CDM duties, at each stage of your project.

What information is needed to fill in the F10 notification?

If you have checked the CDM notification thresholds and calculated that your project is notifiable, then you need to go ahead and notify the HSE. You can do this by completing the F10 notification form.

The F10 is a standard form that asks for details about your construction project. You don't need to supply any other documentation at this stage. Just the location, key dates, and team members involved. The form is fairly short, and as long as you have those details to hand, it should only take you about 10 minutes to complete.

3. The notice must—
   1. contain the particulars specified in Schedule 1;
   2. be clearly displayed in the construction site office in a comprehensible form where it can be read by any worker engaged in the construction work; and
   3. if necessary, be periodically updated.

Schedule 1 of the CDM regulations details the information that needs to be submitted as part of the notification. This is the information that HSE need for their records. The information required to be contained in the notification is:

1. The date of submitting the F10 notification
2. The address or location of the construction site
3. The name of the local authority
4. A Description of the project
5. Contact details of the client
6. Contact details of the principal designer
7. Contact details of the principal contractor
8. The planned start date
9. Time allocated for planning and managing project
10. The expected duration of construction work
11. The estimated maximum number of people on site
12. The planned number of contractors
13. Details of any contractors already appointed
14. Details of any designers already appointed
15. A signed declaration by or on behalf of the client

How to complete the F10 notification

Now you know what the F10 is, when it's needed and when to submit it, it's time to go ahead and complete the form. And the HSE makes it easy by providing an online F10 notification form so that the information required can be submitted in a standard format.

You can use the F10 form to notify a new project or to update an existing project. Select 'create a notification' for a new project, or 'edit a notification' to retrieve and update a previously submitted notification. The online form has recently changed, the information required is still the same as the details asked for in schedule 1 of the CDM regulations above. But in a slightly different order.

First, you will be asked for your client details. This includes your name (or organisation name), and your contact details (telephone, email and postal address).

In the second section, you are asked to select the type of work your project involves. This could be refurbishment, new build, demolition, painting and decorating amongst the list of choices. And don't worry, there's an 'other' option if you can't find one that fits your project. You will then be asked for a brief description of the work that is planned in your project. This gives the HSE a better idea of the type of construction work being carried out.

In the next section of the form, you need to provide the address and location of the site. If your project is spread across multiple locations, there's a box you can check so that you only need to submit the main site office address.

On the fifth page, you will be asked for the project schedule. These are the key dates, e.g. the start date and expected duration) of the project. You will also be asked for details on the maximum number of people, and also the planned number of contractors that will be at work on the construction site. The time allowed for planning and preparation of the construction work by the principal contractor is also required information in this part of the form.

In the next section, details of the key members of the project team are requested. This will include the principal designer and the principal contractor details, and any designers or contractors already appointed at the time of notification. This section can be updated if these details change or new key duty holders (e.g. a new principal contractor) are appointed.

Finally, the declaration must be signed by or on behalf of the client, to confirm the client is aware of their duties. At this stage, the form is complete and can be submitted to the HSE. A copy should be kept for your records and to display on site.

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Need help with your CDM duties? Check out the free CDM duty holder guides, or use the free CDM compliance checklist.