Principal Designer

The role of the Principal Designer as designated by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, does more than simply replace the now irrelevant role of CDM coordinator, it situates the Principal Designer at the core of a construction project in a triangle of shared responsibilities and duties with the Client and the Principal Contractor to ensure the Health, Safety and Welfare of all those included in or affected by the Project at hand.

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The Principal Designer is appointed by the Client and should be engaged from the planning stage of the Pre-Construction Phase to work in harmony with the Principal Contractor towards eliminating, reducing or controlling general risks and site-specific risks in a manner compliant with the CDM 2015 Regulations and all other regulations that may be appropriate; for instance, in general terms, elements of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992; and, for instance, in site-specific terms, The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The open and easy flow of information between the Designers, the Client and the Contractors is a vital element in the construction of an environment where Health, Safety and Welfare can be managed with care.

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On all projects with more than one contractor, the Client must appoint a Principal Designer to oversee the Pre-Construction Phase. If the Principal Designer stops work on a project at the end of the Pre-Construction Phase they will pass the Health and Safety File on to the Principal Contractor and from then on the Client takes on the responsibilities and duties of Principal Designer.