Why do I need a Principal Designer?

Where there is more than one contractor or if it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be working on a project at any time, a Principal Designer must be appointed in writing.

The Principal Designer plays an important role in influencing how the risks to health and safety should be managed and incorporated into the wider management of a project. Design decisions taken at pre-construction phase can have a major effect on the delivery of the health and safety of a project.

If you do not appoint a Principal Designer then you will need to fulfil the duties of the Principal Designer in regulations 11 and 12 in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

A Principal Designer should be instructed as early as possible in the design process, if practicable at the concept stage. Then remain in place for as long as there is a need for the role to be performed.

At Stonehouse CDM we understand that it isn’t always feasible to appoint a Principal Designer at concept stage. So whatever stage you are at, give us a call - we love to talk CDM and provide our best practice advice.