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CDM Principal Designer

Got a headache trying to understand the role of CDM Principal Designers? Read on...

April 20, 2023

Navigating the complexities of the role of a CDM Principal Designer and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 can be quite challenging. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, then rest assured that you’re not alone.

Here at pm Connections, we often hear a lot of misconceptions about when a CDM Principal Designer is required and what the role consists of. Get ready, as we’ve broken down some of the most common misconceptions here…

Firstly, what are Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015)?

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations of 2015 (CDM 2015) are a set of regulations in the United Kingdom that aim to improve the health, safety and welfare within the construction industry. They came into force in 2015, replacing the previous CDM 2007 regulations. 

CDM 2015 is applicable to all construction projects, including new builds, renovations, demolitions and maintenance work, regardless of their size, duration or complexity. The regulations outline the roles and responsibilities of various duty holders involved in a construction project, including: 

Misconception: “My project is too small to need a CDM Principal Designer!”

This is one of the most common misconceptions that we stumble across. And if we’re being honest – as health and safety professionals, one of the scariest too. 

We often hear people believe that their project is “too small” to need a CDM Principal Designer. However, it’s important to remember that the CDM 2015 regulations apply to any project involving more than just one contractor, which includes subcontractors too. So, even if you think your project is small-scale, if you have multiple contractors working together, you’ll need a Principal Designer to keep an eye on health and safety risks during the pre-construction phase.

You see, the main aim of the CDM regulations is to ensure that everyone involved in a construction project stays safe and sound, no matter how big or small the project is. Having a Principal Designer on board helps make sure that risks are identified, assessed, and managed right from the design and planning stages, which not only prevents accidents but also contributes to a smoother and safer construction process overall.

That brings us to our next misconception…

Misconception: “We don’t need a CDM Principal Designer because we have a Principal Contractor!” 

Another misconception is that you won’t need a Principal Designer if you have a Principal Contractor. However, this isn’t the case – both roles are required under CDM 2015, as they fulfil separate duties. 

Whilst a Principal Contractor is responsible for managing health and safety risks during the construction phase, a Principal Designer handles the risks during the pre-construction phase. Both roles are essential for any construction project to ensure the overall safety of a project. 

Misconception: “CDM Principal Designers are only responsible for design!”

Many people mistakenly believe that Principal Designers are solely responsible for the design aspect of a construction project, but their role actually goes far beyond that. While they do manage the design process, a significant part of their responsibilities lies in identifying, eliminating and reducing health and safety risks throughout a project. 

In order to do this effectively, Principal Designers need to coordinate and communicate with various stakeholders, including other designers, clients and contractors. By working closely with these parties, Principal Designers can ensure that safety considerations are integrated into the project from the early stages of design. 

Misconception: “Our Principal Designer can just be any member of our team!”

It’s a common mistake to think that any member of your team can take on the role of Principal Designer without specific qualifications or experience. In reality, a Principal Designer must possess a unique skill set and in-depth knowledge of various aspects of the construction industry. They need to have:

  • A thorough understanding of CDM 2015: CDM Principal Designers must be well-versed in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, as their main responsibility is to ensure compliance with these regulations throughout the project.
  • Technical expertise in Design Risk Management: CDM Principal Designers must have the ability to apply risk management principles to the design process. This includes identifying potential hazards, assessing the risks, and implementing measures to eliminate or minimise them
  • Knowledge and skills to manage and coordinate the preconstruction phase: A CDM Principal Designer must be able to manage the various aspects of the preconstruction phase, including coordinating with other designers, clients, and contractors. They should also have the skills to handle any design work that may be required during the construction phase.
  • Technical understanding of the construction industry relevant to your project: CDM Principal Designers need to have a strong understanding of the specific sector of the construction industry relevant to your project, as this will help them identify potential risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

Additionally, for smaller projects, it might be possible for a single, qualified individual to serve as the CDM Principal Designer. However, for larger or more complex projects, you’ll often need an entire organisation or a team of experts with diverse backgrounds and expertise to act as your Principal Designer. This ensures that all aspects of the project are adequately covered and health and safety risks are effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle.

Misconception: “Appointing a CDM Principal Designer isn’t a concern until immediately before the Construction Phase!”

Finally, it’s a relatively common occurrence here at pm Connections that clients will approach us looking to appoint a CDM Principal Designer mere weeks before the project’s construction phase is due to begin. 

Whilst we always strive to fulfil these roles where we can, the truth is that it’s simply too late in many cases to prepare adequately for the role. This is because the design has already been carried out at this stage, and there is often not enough time to gather the vital information required for the pre-construction information pack. 

Moral of the story? Appoint your Principal Designer early on during the design phase of the project!

So there we have it – the most common misconceptions we hear regarding the role of a CDM Principal Designer. If you’re still unsure whether or not your project falls under the CDM 2015, check out the fantastic FREE document we’ve put together for you here. 

Alternatively, curious about what we do and how we can help you fulfil the role of a CDM Principal Designer? Check out our CDM Safety services here. 

 

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