The Principal Designer: The Most Misappointed Role
- Paul Scanlon
- Jul 30
- 1 min read
The Principal Designer is the most misappointed role in CDM 2015.
Either it is not appointed at all. Or it is appointed too late. Or it is appointed to someone without the skills and influence to perform it effectively.
Under Regulation 11, the Principal Designer must plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase. That is an active coordination role — not a title on a letter.
The PD must:
Identify and eliminate foreseeable construction-phase risks through design decisions
Ensure designers under their coordination fulfil their Reg 9 obligations
Compile pre-construction information and provide it to the Principal Contractor
Liaise with the Principal Contractor during the construction phase
Prepare and maintain the Health and Safety File
The role should be appointed, in writing, as early as RIBA Stage 1 or 2. Appointing at tender — or after the construction phase has begun — is a common mistake that renders much of the pre-construction coordination impossible.
The PD does not have to be the architect. It must be a designer with sufficient project involvement and organisational capability to coordinate the design team effectively.
If you have appointed a PD but haven't reviewed whether they have the right level of involvement and influence on your project, it is worth asking the question now.
Get your free Client Guide to CDM 2015 here: cdm2015.co.uk/resource-download
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