CDM 2015 for Principal Designer
If you are appointed as the Principal Designer in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), Lighthouse Health and Safety consultants have the expertise to guide you through your statutory duties, and help develop the relevant Health and Safety documentation.
The Principal Designer role involves taking control of Health and Safety requirements for a construction project in the pre-construction phase.
It is important that this role is fulfilled by a competent resource as the systems implemented at design stage will influence whether a project runs with a secure Health and Safety consideration or not.
Designer’s Risk Assessment
You Lighthouse Health and Safety consultant can support you in the development of the Designer’s Risk Assessment for the project in question.
This involves assessing the risks associated with the development once completed from a planned and reactive maintenance perspective.
Hazards may present themselves that cannot be avoided in the design phase and so an assessment of these, along with any recommended controls measures, should be produced.
Pre-Start Meeting
Our Health and Safety consultants will attend a pre-start meeting with you in order to determine the hazards pertaining to the site itself in the pre-construction phase.
It is important to get an understanding of the site conditions, neighboring land, access/egress routes etc. in order to relay this to potential Principal Contractors tendering for the construction phase.
Pre-Construction Information
CDM 2015 requires the Principal Contractor to develop a Pre-Construction Information Pack’ (PCIP) for the site.
This involves documenting hazard information pertinent to the site which may affect the way in which the construction phase develops.
The PCIP should also set out the standards expected to be met by the Principal Contractor and their sub-contractors during the construction phase.
At Lighthouse, our Health and Safety consultants are proficient in developing the PCIP on behalf of the Principal Designer.
Common considerations within this document include:
- Project Description
- Considerations and Management Requirements for the Construction Phase
- On-Site Hazards including Environmental Restrictions
- Considerations for any alterations to designs or works throughout the Construction Phase
- Detail of the Health & Safety and Operational and Maintenance Manual requirements
Principal Contractor Liaison and Communication
Once the construction phase has commenced, it is important that ongoing liaison is considered between the Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.
Not all projects will run to the exact specification set out in the pre-construction phase as designs may alter and new hazards may arise as works develop.
As Health and Safety consultants, Lighthouse remain in place for ongoing support and advice concerning alterations to site hazards and the communication of revisions to on-site Health & Safety considerations.
To discuss how you could benefit from the Principal Designer CDM 2015 support Lighthouse Health and Safety consultants provide, fill in the consultation request form at the top of this page or call us on 0845 459 1724.