CDM 2015

Principal Duties

A Practical Approach

About me…

Before I start the legal bit…

CDM 2015 – A Brief Overview

Duty holders

The Principal Designer

Who is the Principal Designer

The Principal Designer

is appointed by the Client in writing

must have control over the pre-construction phase

can be an individual or organizational

must have the relevant skills, knowledge and experience as an individual

or organization

is a designer

Policy and Procedure

Good Practice

Scope of services

Good Practice

Key Principal Designer

Duties

1. Plan, manage and monitor

the pre-construction phase

2. Assist the Client with

preparing the pre-construction

information document

3. Provide the PCI to every

Designer and Contractor

4. Eliminate foreseeable risks

5. Ensure other designer

comply with Reg 9 – Designer

Duties

Assist the Client with preparing

the pre-construction

information document

Provide the PCI to every

Designer and Contractor

Eliminate foreseeable risks to

health or safety of any person

During the

construction

Building

Maintenance

Building

used as a

workplace

Key Word

Safety

Key Word

Health

Ensure other designer comply

with Reg 9 – Designer Duties

Some examples:

Should the designer

have specified a

construction method or

is the Principal

Contractor not working

safely?

Poor design practice: an

AC condenser placed

over a fire exit

Who is responsible for

design? PD or M&E

designer? What of PD

missed the design fault?

Parapet wall 300mm

Mansafe system

Door opening outwards onto wall

Roof Access

Not installed

correctly onsite?

Parapet wall 300mm

Mansafe system

Door opening outwards onto wall

Roof Access

Client to manage?

Good design practice:

an inward inclined

washing sink with

incorporated hand dryer

etc.

Good design practice:

a safe walkway provided

to access the gas meter

reading boxes.

5. Liaise with Principal

Contractor

5. Prepare the H&S File

Project Review

(Lessons Learnt)

Policy and Procedure

Scope of services

Preconstruction Information

Design Risk Management

Plan, Manage & Monitoring

tools

(PD tools)

H&S File

Project Review

(Lesson Learnt)

The Principal Designer – Top tips

Have a clean and clear scope of works.

Keep a copy of the appointment letter from the Client.

Prepare a project specific and bespoke PCI document + visit the site

Keep good records on design review and management

Visit the site during the construction phase [you make see design issues] + issue reports

Keep good meeting minutes

Have a good plan on how to prepare the Health and Safety File [starting listing out what

you want to see]