Design-stage health and safety coordination under CDM 2015
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), clients must appoint a Principal Designer where more than one contractor is involved on a project.
LF Architecture provides CDM Principal Designer services for domestic and non-high-risk commercial projects, helping clients and design teams manage health and safety during the pre-construction phase.
What is a CDM Principal Designer?
The CDM Principal Designer is responsible for:
- Planning, managing and monitoring the design process
- Coordinating designers to eliminate or reduce risks
- Ensuring designers comply with their duties under CDM
- Managing pre-construction information
- Supporting the client in meeting their statutory duties
- Liaising with the Principal Contractor during the construction phase
- Contributing to the Health and Safety File
The role focuses on design-stage risk management and coordination between all members of the design team.
Our approach
LF Architecture approaches the CDM Principal Designer role from the perspective of an experienced architectural designer.
With over 25 years in practice, we:
- identify risks early in the design process
- integrate health and safety considerations into the design
- coordinate structural, architectural and services input
- provide proportionate, practical advice to clients and contractors
- avoid over-complicated or bureaucratic processes
Our focus is on:
- clear communication
- early risk reduction
- practical, buildable solutions
- proportionate management appropriate to the scale of the project
Typical CDM Principal Designer services
We provide:
- Advice to clients on their duties under CDM 2015
- Preparation and coordination of pre-construction information
- Design risk reviews and coordination
- Liaison with designers, consultants and contractors
- Review of design changes during construction
- Input into the Health and Safety File
- Support to the Principal Contractor during the build phase
Project types
Experience includes:
- Domestic extensions and refurbishments
- Loft conversions and energy upgrades
- Listed building alterations
- Change-of-use commercial projects
- Funeral care and mortuary facilities
- Medium-scale commercial refurbishments
On projects where both roles are required, the CDM Principal Designer and the Building Regulations Principal Designer perform separate statutory duties.
Relationship to the Building Regulations Principal Designer role
LF Architecture can:
- coordinate closely with other duty holders
- ensure consistency between health and safety and regulatory compliance strategies
- act in one or both roles (where appropriate)
Typical clients
We work with:
- Developers
- Domestic clients
- Architects and design practices
- Contractors
- Building safety and CDM consultancies
Enquiries
If you require a CDM Principal Designer or would like advice on your duties under CDM 2015, please get in touch to discuss your project.