PRINCIPAL DESIGNER

The Principal Designer is the designer in overall control of the pre-construction phase of the project. They are responsible for the Health & Safety when planning, managing and monitoring the pre-construction phase of the project. 

​

Principal Designer work includes:

• Preparing and providing relevant information to other duty holders

• Identifying, eliminating or controlling foreseeable risks

• Ensuring Designers carry out their duties

• Liaising with the Principal Contractor to help in the planning, management and monitoring of the construction phase

• Consider health and safety when design, technical and organisational aspects are being decided in order to plan the various items or stages of work which are to take place simultaneously or in succession.

• Consider health and safety when estimating time required to complete work or stages.

• Take into account the general principles of prevention and contents of any construction phase plan and health and safety file.

• Identify and eliminate or control, so far as is reasonably practicable, foreseeable risks to the health or safety of any person affected by the construction work or in future use, maintenance or cleaning of the structure.

• Ensure designers comply with their duties.

A Principal Designer must be appointed by law on all construction projects with more than one contractor (including subcontractors). The Principal Designer role is required by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).