Principal Designer

Design decisions during the pre-construction phase can have a significant effect on the way health and safety is secured on a project. The Principal Designer’s role involves coordinating the work of others in the project team to ensure that significant and foreseeable risks are managed throughout the design process.

During the course of a project, from the design phase to completion, the Principal Designer ensures that all of the property information is appropriate to the project by:

• Reviewing designers’ drawings and specifications to assist them in the CDM aspects of the project.
• Reviewing design risk management information to prepare the Pre-Construction Information Plan, which is then passed on to the Principal Contractor.
• Liaising with Designers to ensure that the principles of prevention are applied and health and safety is considered in their designs. We carry out this task by attending design team meetings or one-to-one meetings with a designer as well as facilitating CDM workshops for designers.
• Ensuring that Designers have provided maintenance and replacement strategies, which are then included in the Health and Safety File.