CDM: The role of the principal designer
Key Information
Duration: 1 day (face-to-face) or 2 part-days (live online)
Available as: face-to-face, live online and in-house training
Price: £595 per person
Course dates
HSE runs two courses to help employers comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015.
- CDM: The Role of the client
- CDM: The Role of the principal designer
Both courses cover the fundamentals of the CDM 2015 regulations and the relationships between key dutyholders (Clients, Principal Designers and Principal Contractors). They both offer a very similar overview with this one giving greater focus to the role of the Principal Designer. With this in mind, you may feel that you do not need to attend both courses, and instead select the one which is more closely aligned to your role or specialism.
Overview
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) set out legal requirements for those involved in construction projects, from concept to completion.
The principal designer (PD) is a key role in CDM 2015. They must plan, manage and monitor health and safety in the pre-construction (design) phase of a project. They must also co-ordinate the work of all the design functions and disciplines in the project team, ensuring that designers take proper account of the principles of prevention and any pre-construction information when preparing or modifying a design. Decisions taken at this point can significantly influence whether a project is delivered in a way that secures health and safety and meets the client's brief.
Learning outcomes
Delegates will be provided with information that will help them to:
- Have an overview of CDM 2015 and where the PD fits within it
- Understand pre-construction information (PCI) requirements and the PD's role regarding it
- Ensure design work in the pre-construction phase contributes to positive outcomes though knowledge and application of the principles of prevention to foreseeable health and safety risks
- Understand the arrangements required by the PD to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate the pre-construction phase with a focus on the flow of health and safety information
- Prepare and handover the health and safety file
- Understand the general CDM duties applicable to everyone on the project regarding appointments, cooperation, reporting and the provision of information
- Understand the associated skills, knowledge, experience and organisational capabilities required to deliver the PD role and the challenges different contracts / project types may bring
What the course will cover
This course is designed to help delegates understand the role of the PD and the duties they are required to fulfil. It utilises the findings from recently published (2023) independent research commissioned by HSE, which give a comprehensive and up-to-date insight into how the PD role is working in practice.
Who should attend?
This course is for those classified as 'designers' under CDM 2015 and could be appointed as PD, or those who need an understanding of the duties of a PD as part of another role. Delegates who have previously attended training from HSE on the role of the PD may chose to attend as a refresher or update.
Book your place(s)
Course fees include all resources and a certificate of attendance (please note that all courses must be paid for via credit card at the time of booking).
Click the button below to view upcoming course dates, prices and to book your place(s).
In-house training
This course can be delivered to larger groups at a suitable, agreed location anywhere in the UK or internationally, online, or at the HSE Science and Research Centre. Content can also be tailored to meet organisations' own needs. Please get in touch on GOV.UK to find out more.