Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations – S.I.no.291 of 2013, one of the duties of the Client is to appoint a Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP).

All clients must appoint a Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) and a Project Supervisor for the Construction Stage (PSCS) and also notify the HSA that the project is starting. The role of the PSCS will normally be carried out by the Main Contractor.

This ‘start date’ is deemed to be before the Architect begins the Initial Design Stage.

The Duties of the PSDP are;

1. Identify hazards arising from the design or from the technical, organisational, planning or time related aspects of the project.

1. Where possible, eliminate the hazards or reduce the risks.

1. Communicate necessary control measure, design assumptions or remaining risks to the PSCS so they can be dealt with in the safety and health plan.

1. Ensure that the work of designers is coordinated to ensure safety.

1. Organise co-operation between designers

1. Prepare a written safety and health plan for any project where construction will take more than 500 person days or 30 working days or there is a particular risk and deliver it to the client prior to tender.

1. Prepare a safety file for the completed structure and give it to the client.

1. Notify the Authority and the client of non-compliance with any written directions issued.

9. The PSDP may issue directions to designers or contractors or others.

This process is less daunting for you than it sounds. Your Construction Stage Architect / Engineer will talk you through all of this.