A principal designer is a designer who is an organisation or individual (on smaller projects) appointed by the client to take control of the pre-construction phase of any project involving more than one contractor.

Principal designers have an important role in influencing how risks to health and safety are managed throughout a project. Design decisions made during the pre-construction phase have a significant influence in ensuring the project is delivered in a way that secures the health and safety of everyone affected by the work.

General Duties

• The Principal Designer MUST have the Skills, Knowledge and Training & Experience (SKATE) to take on the role
• If the Principal Designer appoints any other Designers or Contractors – Make sure they have the necessary SKATE
• Co-operate with everyone involved in the project and make sure everyone else co-operates with each other
• Report any Health & Safety issues, that they become aware of, to whom they are working for
• When providing information or instruction – make sure it is comprehensible and provided in good time

Specific Duties

The Principal Designer must

• Plan, manage and monitor Health and Safety in the Pre-Construction Phase, in particular, when;

• Design, technical and organisational aspects of the project are being decided
• Estimating periods of time required for programming the work

• Assist the Client in providing the Pre Construction Information
• Make sure that all designs take account of the General Principles of Prevention to identify and eliminate foreseeable risks to people building, maintaining, cleaning & using a structure where possible.
• Control residual risks and provide clear information on these to other duty holders when it isn't possible to eliminate them
• Ensure all other designers comply with their duties
• Assist the Client in providing the Pre Construction Information & distribute this to all other duty holders
• Liaise with the Principal Contractor in planning the Construction Phase and assist the PC in preparing the Construction Phase Plan.
• Prepare the Health and Safety File during the Pre-Construction Phase, develop this during the construction phase and hand it to the client on completion.

Note - This page is for guidance only. Application on a project must comply with the official HSE issue of the Regulations