Site Management · Best Practice · Pre-Construction

Logistics Plan

The Logistics Plan coordinates the movement of materials, plant, and people across the construction site, defining storage areas, crane locations, hoist positions, skip locations, and material distribution routes. It is a living document that evolves as the project progresses through different phases. The plan ensures efficient operations while maintaining safe access and egress for all site users.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CDM 2015 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Logistics — The Operational Foundation of a Well-Managed Site

A well-executed logistics plan prevents the most common causes of inefficiency and safety failures: materials stored blocking access routes, deliveries arriving at peak pedestrian density, waste accumulating in dangerous quantities, and plant routes conflicting with pedestrian areas.

The logistics plan is most important at the start of a project and at major programme transitions. It should be reviewed at each milestone.

“Pre-book all deliveries — spontaneous delivery arrivals create the most dangerous site access situations” — Unannounced deliveries (a large flatbed arriving without notice at peak pedestrian time, requiring immediate unloading with no banksman) are a major cause of pedestrian/vehicle incidents. All deliveries must be pre-booked: confirmed windows (2-hour slots outside peak pedestrian times), banksman pre-arranged, unloading area cleared. Unbooked drivers should be turned away or held at the gate.

Logistics Plan — Key Content

Element	Content
Site layout plans	Phased plans for each major stage: materials storage, welfare, office, plant lay-down, hoisting, traffic routes, pedestrian routes, waste storage.
Delivery management	Pre-booking system. Delivery windows (avoid peak pedestrian). Driver briefing on arrival. Banksman provision. Vehicle routing.
Materials storage	Zone for each type. Fire-safe for combustibles. Covered for sensitive materials. Organised to minimise double-handling.
Hoisting strategy	Tower crane positions and reach. Goods hoist location. MEWP positions. Load exclusion zones.
Waste management	Segregation — inert, recycling, hazardous. Skip locations. Collection schedule. Hazardous waste contractor. Waste transfer notes.
Concrete/formwork	Ready-mix delivery schedule. Pump position. Chute and conveyor routes. Formwork storage.
Occupied building interface	Agreed access hours. Dust control. Noise management. Protection of building users.

Common Mistakes

No pre-booking system — reactive management. Deliveries at peak times, no banksman, no clear unloading area, vehicles blocking routes. Even a simple spreadsheet eliminates most problems. Unbooked drivers must be held at the gate.

Combustible materials stored in large quantities adjacent to the building — this creates significant fire loading. Just-in-time delivery reduces on-site combustible loading. Specify maximum quantities inside the building and separation from ignition sources.

No waste management strategy — combustible waste accumulation is a fire hazard and signals poor management to HSE. Specify segregation at source, collection frequency, skip locations, and subcontractor responsibilities.

Plant lay-down areas not defined — plant parked randomly blocks routes, reduces visibility, and creates trip hazards. Must designate specific areas on level ground, away from pedestrian routes.

Hoisting strategy not coordinated — crane and hoist operations create no-go zones. They must be coordinated with the daily programme to prevent conflict. Describe the hoisting schedule and exclusion zone management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a logistics plan required on all projects?

CDM does not mandate a separate 'logistics plan' — the requirements are part of the Construction Phase Plan. A separate plan adds value where: constrained/urban site; multiple subcontractors; frequent deliveries; or the layout changes significantly. Small single-trade projects: the CPP logistics section may suffice.

What is just-in-time delivery?

Ordering materials only when needed, minimising on-site storage. Benefits: reduced fire risk, theft risk, double-handling, and clutter. Challenges: requires confident programme management and supplier relationships. Most valuable for large-volume materials (concrete, timber frame, insulation).

How does the logistics plan coordinate with the TMP?

They are closely related — the logistics plan describes where materials come from and how they move; the TMP describes routes and controls for movement. They should be consistent companion documents, updated together.

What waste management documentation is required?

Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and Waste Regulations 2011 apply. Waste transfer notes are required for every load (retained 2 years). Hazardous waste consignment notes must be retained for 3 years. Waste carrier registration is required for all transporters. A SWMP is no longer legally required in England but is encouraged above 300,000.

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