The role and competence of a Principal Designer

Transcription

1 The role and competence of a Principal Designer Introduction This document specifies the role of the Principal Designer Organisation in accordance with Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (Rev 6th April 2015). The information provided within this document is a guide to those responsible for appointing Principal Designer Duty holders (the Client as defined in said regulations and the Principal Designer Organisation), as well as the Duty holders themselves, in defining the role and assessing competence requirements. The role of a Principal Designer A Principal Designer is the Designer (as defined in Regulation 2(1) CDM Regulations 2015) with control over the Pre-Construction Phase of the project. This is the very earliest stage of a project from concept design through to planning the delivery of the construction work. The Principal Designer must be appointed in writing by the Client. The Principal Designer is an organisation, or an individual that has: a) Technical knowledge of the construction industry relevant to the project b) The understanding and skills to manage and coordinate the pre-construction phase, including any design works carried out after construction begins Where the Principal Designer is an organisation, it must have the organisational capability to carry out the role. Principal Designers may have separate duties as Designers. Duties of Principal Designer: Coordinate Designers Oversee Design Decisions Communicate with the Client Liaise during the construction phase Assist with compiling Pre-Construction Information Communicate with the Principal Contractor Prepare the Health and Safety File Take account of any Construction Phase Plan Implement Principles of Prevention and check that Designers do so The Principal Designer Organisation must plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase and ordinate matters relating to health and safety during the pre-construction phase to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the project is carried out without risks to health or safety. In fulfilling the duties (above) and in particular when Design, technical and organisational aspects are being decided in order to plan the various items or stages of work which are to take place simultaneously or in succession and estimating the time required to complete such work or work stages the Principal Designer must take into account the general principles of prevention and where relevant the content of any construction phase plan and health and safety file. The Principal Designer must identify and eliminate or control, so far as is reasonably practicable, foreseeable risks to the health or safety of any person. Page 1 of 7

2 Before triio accepts the role of Principal Designer, it must be determined that the organisation is competent to undertake this role for the particular project. Many Regulations have requirements to comply..as far as practicable.. It is important that the Principal Designer Organisation Duty holders have a good understanding of applicable legislation to ensure that Designers comply with their duties. Who is a Designer? In understanding the role of the Principal Designer it is important to understand the definition of a Designer as defined by CDM Regulations A Designer is an organisation or individual that prepares or modifies a design for any part of a construction project, including the design of Temporary Works, or who arranges or instructs someone else to do it. Designers can be architects, consulting engineers, interior designs, temporary work engineers, chartered surveyors, technicians, specifiers, principal contractors and specialist contractors. You could also be carrying out design even if you would normally not identify yourself as a designer. An example would be if you are a Client or contractor specifying a particular roof system, deciding what size joists to use or selecting a type of window. Manufacturers supplying standardised products for use in any construction project are not designers. However the person who selects the product is a designer and must take account of health and safety issues arising from the installation and use of those products. Can triio undertake the role of Principal Designer? Insurance We can take on the Principal Designer Role if: 1. We assess ourselves and ensure we have the effective processes to manage it 2. If the person clearly coordinating it has themselves or controls people who are competent: persons or personnel who are professionally qualified or technical persons or personnel having not less than 5 years relevant experience in the carrying out of activities and duties for which they are qualified or technically experienced The competence of a Principal Designer Organisation The following prompts should be used in each case to assess if triio is competent to undertake the role: 1) Do triio ensure that the organisation and the workforce have the appropriate capabilities to enable all to discharge the relevant duties under health and safety legislation? 2) Does triio have and implement arrangements for meeting the principal Designers duties under the CDM regulations? 3) Do triio check, review and where necessary improve H&S performance? 4) Are you able to provide evidence of your field of knowledge and experience in the design and construction process? 5) Are you able to provide evidence of your knowledge and experience of H&S in construction? 6) Do you review and develop your effectiveness at delivering the coordination required by this role? Refer to Appendix 1 for further detail on assessing competence Page 2 of 7

3 Following successful evaluation of competence to undertake the role, the following applies: Function and Implementation It is important to recognise the benefits of Team-Working to maximise effectiveness, using the best skillsets for each function. These skill requirements will be derived from a number of Duty holders throughout the Principal Designer Organisation, in accordance with the CDM Process TRI EHS 000 and Appendix 2 Division of Responsibilities. triio emphasise the importance of Leading Indicators and independence of certain roles from other functions. A key competence is to understand the implications of their actions and communications in influencing design decisions (and thereby potentially undertaking the role of Designer ), rather than undertaking design activity. Where any Duty holder within the Principal Designer organisation has concerns about: Resource dedicated to Permanent and / or Temporary Works Design Packages; Resource dedicated to Construction Planning; Compliance with CDM Process Design Decisions or strategy These should be referred to the Project Manager and Lead Designer in the first instance. Where necessary an escalation process will be followed. It is triio s stated intention that the pre-construction team should be encouraged, coached and motivated to ask pertinent questions (within the framework of a positive management culture) to ensure that the optimum safe, efficient and environmentally friendly working environment is provided for all life-cycles (Pre-Construction, Construction Phase, Operational-Life, End-of-Life). The following are integral to effective delivery: Early planning; Dealing with Significant-Risk issues at the earliest possible stage; Applying Safety by Design Principles of Prevention ; Providing mechanisms for interaction of Duty holders and all interested parties; Competent Duty holders; Provision of Resources to Duty holders. CDM Process On projects where triio work severally or jointly together the Principal Designer functions will be undertaken by one of the Legal Entities (ie one of the Limited Liability companies). The Principal Designer Organisation will be designated for individual project. Formal appointment will be made and identify individual Duty holders within the Principal Designer Organisation. Where the Construction Partner (ie triio) undertakes the role of Principal Designer, defined tasks will be delegated to the relevant Design Partner in accordance with the Division of Responsibilities spread sheet (Appendix 2). The Principal Designer Organisation will monitor and provide assurance on design activity, liaising with the Lead Designer appointed by the Design Partner. The Lead Designer will be responsible for appointing Permanent Works Package Designers. Page 3 of 7

4 Appendix 1 - Principal Designer (PD) competencies for CDM 2015 An individual or team undertaking the PD role must have the following competencies. N.B. if any gaps are identified support must be provided by others within the team. Competency Single Discipline Multi-discipline Large and/or complex/novel A technical knowledge of the construction industry relevant to the project Construction Chartership (engineer, surveyor, architect) or relevant degree and able to demonstrate technical experience Relevant site experience Experience of design review Relevant sector knowledge Construction Chartership (engineer, surveyor, architect) Relevant site experience Experience of multidisciplinary projects Undertaken multi-disciplinary design review Relevant sector knowledge or experience Construction Chartership (engineer, surveyor, architect) Relevant site experience Experience of large and/or complex projects Undertaken design reviews on large and/or complex projects Relevant sector knowledge and experience The understanding and skills to manage and co-ordinate the preconstruction phase, including any design work carried out after construction begins Understand what CDM sets out to achieve Understand safe by design principles Knowledge of in-house processes IOSH Managing Safely in Construction* or equivalent Understand how to plan, manage and co-ordinate as a PD Effective communication skills Confidence to challenge Ability to influence and engage with stakeholders Understand what CDM sets out to achieve Understand safe by design principles Knowledge of in-house processes NEBOSH Construction Certificate** or equivalent Able to demonstrate management and coordination skills required of a PD Effective communication skills Confidence to challenge Ability to influence and engage with stakeholders Understand what CDM sets out to achieve Understand safe by design principles Knowledge of in-house processes NEBOSH Construction Certificate** or equivalent Able to demonstrate management and coordination skills required of a PD Effective communication skills Confidence to challenge Ability to influence and engage with stakeholders N.B. Where there are high risk activities, such as those in Schedule 3 of CDM 2015, a greater level of H&S competence than that outlined above may be required. Page 4 of 7

5 Principal Designer (PD) competencies *IOSH Managing Safely in Construction - Contents (an equivalent could be established by using an experience statement or alternative qualification) Risk Management Permits to work and method statements Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 CDM Regulations Confined spaces Construction equipment and hazards Lifting operations Management systems Scaffolding, excavations and demolition Fire precautions and prevention Electrical hazards Occupational health risks **NEBOSH Construction Certificate - Contents (an equivalent could be established by using an experience statement or alternative qualification) Construction law and management Construction site hazards and control Movement of people and vehicles hazards and control Manual and mechanical handling hazards and control Work equipment hazards and control Electrical hazards and control Fire hazards and control Chemical and biological health hazards and control Physical and psychological health hazards and control Working at height hazards and control Excavation work and confined spaces hazards and control Demolition hazards and control There are other ways of demonstrating H&S knowledge and understanding that are suitable for all levels of projects, such as: ICE H&S Register Chartered IOSH Member of IIRSM NEBOSH Diploma This list of equivalencies is not exhaustive; other ways of demonstrating knowledge and experience are acceptable. Page 5 of 7

6 Appendix 2 - Principal Designer Organisation Division of Responsibilities Duty Design partner Role: Role: Role: Role: Role: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Assist in compiling preconstruction information Prepare Pre-Construction Information Document Co-Ordinate the pre-construction phase Communicate with the client, (updates, progress) Clarify roles Coordinate project team meetings Identify Permanent Works Design Packages Appoint Package Lead Designers Coordinate Design Review Meetings Oversea design decisions Undertake early site visit Use BIM Help client develop project brief Raise significant health and safety concerns with client Consider how elements of the final design can be used during construction Ensure Significant health and safety risks are added to the project register Encourage safer designs through RAG lists Arrange predesign meeting with the client and the designers Seek contractor input during the design stage Participate in design co-ordination meetings across all disciplines Page 6 of 7

7 Actively encourage designers to work together as a team Encourage the designers to involve end users from the early stages of the design Embed health and safety into everything Encourage a consistent approach to how information is provided by the designers Prepare the pre-construction information Identify Temporary Works Hazards Coordinate Temporary Works (Pre-Construction) Appoint Temporary Works Designers Communicate with the Principal contractor Prepare Construction Phase Plan Attend Site or progress meetings Collate Information for the Safety File Prepare Safety File document Evaluate the process Management of Change X = Involved / Tasked with XX = Indicates lead A = Assurance (Monitor / Supports Compliance) Page 7 of 7