The CDM 2015 regulations require principal designers to have greater responsibility in the construction process to plan, manage, monitor and control health and safety through the pre-construction stage and ensure all dutyholders are aware of their responsibilities under the new CDM 2015, particularly on projects with 'non-professional' clients.
The Role of Principal Designer
Under the new Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations, principal designers must:
- 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 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 work duties safely
- 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
- When working with domestic clients, the client duties will normally be undertaken by another duty holder. However, the principal designer can enter into a written agreement to take on the client duties in addition to their own
With our CDM Principal Designer Service we’ll be there to help you every step along the way.
What CDM Services does MSAFE provide for a Principal Designer?
Through our Principal Designer services, we can offer competent CDM Advice and assist with all planning, managing, monitoring and controlling of health and safety during pre-construction stage.
Specifically, we’ll:
- Work with the architect to provide project-specific documentation to demonstrate how procedures for controlling health and safety through the design process are compliant
- Attend the project site, review and gather all available information on the proposed development
- Develop a schedule of surveys / investigations and existing documentation that the Client will require in order to meet their duties for provision of adequate Pre-Construction Information
- Prepare clarification documents that will guide the design team on how they should fulfil their CDM duties
- Attend regular meetings with your appointed architect or Project Meetings in representation of the architect as necessary to implement and monitor the procedures
Contact MSAFE
Health and safety specialists MSAFE undertake work nationwide from our head office in Bournemouth acting as Health and Safety Advisors covering Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and London.
To arrange a competitive fee proposal, please contact us on 0333 8000 700 or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you to discuss further.
