What skills, knowledge and experience does a principal designer need?
The principal designer must have technical knowledge of the construction industry relevant to the project, and health and safety skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the work they have been appointed for.
The level of health and safety skills, knowledge and experience should be proportionate to the complexity of the project and the range and nature of the risks involved.
How can I demonstrate my health and safety skills, knowledge and experience?
- Records of continued professional development (CPD)
- membership of professional institutions or bodies (e.g. BALI)
What do I need to do as a principal designer on a project?
- Plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety in the pre-construction phase
- Help and advise the client in bringing together pre-construction information, and provide the information designers and contractors will need to carry out their duties e.g. dates of the project, details of client, designers and other consultants, site location and details
- Identify environmental restrictions and existing on-site risks e.g. safety hazards and health hazards
- Design and construction hazards e.g. work methods and coordination, materials use
- Creation of health and safety file - Identify, eliminate and control foreseeable risks
- Identify risks in overall project design and address these - Ensure designers comply with CDM
- Liaise with the principal contractor, keeping them informed of any risks that need to be controlled during the construction phase