F10 Notification — What It Is, When You Need It, and How to Submit
TL;DR
If your construction project exceeds 30 working days with more than 20 simultaneous workers, or 500 person-days of work, you must notify the HSE using an F10 before construction starts. The F10 must then be displayed on site throughout the construction phase.
What is an F10 Notification?
The F10 is the official notification form used to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of a notifiable construction project under CDM 2015 (Regulation 6). The name comes from the original HSE form reference, though it is now submitted online through the HSE's website.
Notification gives the HSE advance warning of significant construction projects so they can plan their inspection programme and prioritise intervention where the risk is greatest.
When is a Project Notifiable?
A project is notifiable if it involves construction work that will:
- Last longer than 30 working days with more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point, OR
- Exceed 500 person-days of construction work in total
Both thresholds relate to construction work only — design and pre-construction activities do not count.
Examples:
| Scenario | Notifiable? |
|---|---|
| 8-week refurbishment, max 15 workers at any time | No |
| 6-week project peaking at 25 workers simultaneously | Yes (30+ days, 20+ simultaneous) |
| 10-week project, max 18 workers — but 560 person-days | Yes (500+ person-days) |
| Domestic extension, 2 contractors, 8 weeks | Depends on person-days |
Who is Responsible for Submitting the F10?
The client is legally responsible for notifying the HSE. However, the client can ask the principal contractor to submit on their behalf — this should be agreed in writing and confirmed in the principal contractor's appointment.
Where the client is a domestic client, the responsibility passes to the principal contractor automatically.
What Must the F10 Include?
The F10 must be submitted before construction starts and must contain:
- The date of notification
- The exact address and location of the construction site
- A brief description of the project
- The name and contact details of the client
- The name and contact details of the principal designer
- The name and contact details of the principal contractor
- The planned start date and duration of the construction phase
- The maximum number of workers on site at any one time
- The number of contractors expected to be involved
Displaying the F10 on Site
Once submitted, the F10 must be displayed in a prominent location on site throughout the construction phase. A printed copy is acceptable. It must be visible and legible.
Failure to display the F10 is an offence and may result in an HSE improvement notice or prosecution.
Amending the F10
If key project details change — including the principal contractor, principal designer, or significant changes to programme — the F10 should be amended and resubmitted. There is no limit on the number of amendments.
How Workforce Guardian Helps with F10 Compliance
- F10 record keeping — store your F10 within the project record for instant retrieval during inspections
- Notification reminders — automated prompts ensure the F10 is submitted before the construction phase starts
- Project dashboard — track F10 status alongside CPP readiness and other pre-start obligations
- Evidence pack — include the F10 in your compliance documentation pack at project completion
FAQs
What happens if I forget to submit the F10?
Failing to notify the HSE is a criminal offence under CDM 2015. The client (or their delegate) may receive an improvement notice or face prosecution. In practice, the HSE is more likely to focus on whether the project is being managed safely, but an unnotified project will be treated as a serious failing during inspection.
Can I submit the F10 online?
Yes. The HSE provides an online notification service at hse.gov.uk. This is the preferred route and generates immediate confirmation. You can also notify by post, but online is faster and provides an immediate reference number.
Do I need to notify the HSE before or after appointing the principal contractor?
The F10 must include the principal contractor's details, so appointment must come first. The F10 should be submitted as soon as the principal contractor is appointed and before construction begins.
Is the F10 required for demolition-only projects?
Yes, if the demolition project meets the notifiable thresholds. Demolition is construction work under CDM 2015 and carries the same notification requirements as new build or refurbishment.
What if the project extends beyond its original programme?
If the project extends beyond the notified dates, an amended F10 should be submitted. The HSE does not levy penalties for programme overruns per se, but keeping the notification current is good practice and may be relevant to the principal contractor's obligations to display the F10.