What is this?

A Principal Designer is an organisation or individual who is appointed by the client to take the lead in planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating health and safety during the pre-construction phase of a project involving more than one contractor.

The PD should have a detailed knowledge of the construction works they are designing and a clear understanding of how to manage the pre-construction and design phases before the works begins.

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Why have this done?

As of April 2015 the HSE further developed the CDM regulations replacing the 2007 edition, in these new regulations it is stated: A Principle Designer must be appointed "Where there is more than one contractor, or if it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be working on a project at any time".

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How do we do it?

The experts at JBLC will ensure your project is run with precision and professionalism by ensure all elements of the Principle Designers duties are fulfilled:

• Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the pre-construction phase. In doing so they must take account of relevant information (such as an existing health and safety file) that might affect design work carried out both before and after the construction phase has started.

• Help and advise the client in bringing together pre-construction information, and provide the information designers and contractors need to carry out their duties

• Work with any other designers on the project to eliminate foreseeable health and safety risks to anyone affected by the work and, where that is not possible, take steps to reduce or control those risks​​

• Ensure that everyone involved in the pre-construction phase communicates and cooperates, coordinating their work wherever required​

• Liaise with the principal contractor, keeping them informed of any risks that need to be controlled during the construction phase

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More...

Want to learn more about whether you need a Principle designer or the full duties of a Principle Designer?

Click Here - To be directed to the HSE website.