As per the CDM or the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, a principal designer is required before construction work starts on a project. This person has a lot of responsibilities and legal duties. The responsibilities begin during the pre-construction phase with the appointment of all the designers required for the project. He or she is responsible for the health and safety of the workers and the project.
The main responsibility of the principal designer is to coordinate matters relating to health and safety. This aspect has to be considered right from when the design and technical aspects are decided and also when estimating the time required to complete different stages of work. They have to be on top of the project and would need to identify any risks in the future as well as prevent any foreseeable risk with regard to maintenance and cleaning.
As part of his duties, the principal designer will advise clients and coordinate with them. He will manage all the designers and ensure they comply with all regulations. He would also need to coordinate with the principal contractor. Communication skills are very important as this role requires information to be gathered from the client, which is then passed on to contractors and designers and vice versa.
As a number of buildings and older properties are being refurbished, the demand for building surveyors has seen a rise. Surveyors offer advice on the different aspects of construction and design, such as restoration of old properties or refurbishments, repairs, and maintenance of buildings. They not only find out if structural faults exist, but they also offer solutions. They are qualified to assess the feasibility of new projects or the suitability of a building for different purposes. They also can advise on property laws and building regulations besides health and safety matters.
