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The 2015 version of the CDM Regulations places significant additional Health and Safety burdens on clients and their teams involved in construction projects having introduced the new role of Principal Designer.

Architects and sometimes Contractors are being asked to take responsibility for the critical role of Principal Designer. Principal Designer is a confusing title – it has little to do with design work but everything to do with Health and Safety planning and management. The Principal Designer has to plan, manage, monitor and co ordinate health and safety in the pre construction phase as well as provide guidance, advice and information to the client during the construction phase.

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Are you a designer, architect or builder? Have you been asked to take on the role of Principal Designer?

Are you happy to do so but need Health and Safety advice? EB Safety Solutions can provide CDM Advisory services to guide and help you meet your Health and Safety obligations.

Are you unable or unwilling to do so? EB Safety Solutions can act as your Principal Designer helping to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate Health and Safety on your construction project.

EB Safety Solutions meet the criteria to act as your Principal Designer. We have the health and safety skills, knowledge, experience and importantly the insurances in place to do so.

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Changes to longstanding legislation can lead to confusion. We can offer some clarity on the various roles identified in the revised CDM Regulations.

Definition of roles under CDM 2015:

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1. A Commercial Client

An organisation or individual for whom a construction project is carried out and who needs to make suitable arrangements for managing the project including appointing competent duty holders.

2. A Domestic Client

A private individual who commissions building work but who still has important duties under CDM 2015. In practice it is usual for them to transfer their Client duties to an Architect or a Builder.

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3. A Designer

Those who, as part of a business, prepare or modify designs for a building.

4. A Principal Contractor

Who is appointed to co-ordinate the construction phase where it involves more than one contractor.

5. A Contractor

Who plans, manages and monitors construction work under their control.

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6. A Principal Designer

Who is to take control at the pre-construction phase of any project involving more than one contractor. Duties of a Principal Designer include:.

  • Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase.
  • Collect and collate pre-construction information, and provide the information designers and contractors need to carry out their duties.
  • Ensure duty holders eliminate, reduce or control health and safety risks, coordinate information, and generate solutions for construction, subsequent building maintenance and cleaning.
  • Liaise with the principal contractor, keeping them informed of any risks that need to be controlled during the construction phase.
  • Organise information for the health and safety file and pass to the client on completion.
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The HSE requires that Principal Designers are "organisations or individuals with sufficient knowledge, experience and ability to carry out the role".
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Interested in our Principal Designer services?

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