How Does PSDP Affect Your Project?

1. What does PSDP mean?

PSDP means Project Supervisor for the Design Process. This title was introduced with the 2006 Construction Regulations and replaces the PSDS role from the 1995 & 2001 Construction regulations.

2. Who can be a PSDP?

The Project Supervisor Design Process must be an competent for the role & may be an individual or body corporate (limited company). In general, this will be a firm of safety consultants, architects, engineers or project managers. It can also be the main contractor (e.g. in cases of design and build contracts or small projects with minimal design input). In all cases the person or company undertaking the role must have the necessary competence to carry out the relevant duties of PSDP. The Project Supervisor Design Process must be appointed before design work commences. This is to ensure effectiveness in addressing and co-ordinating safety and health matters from the very early stages of a project.

3. What are the duties of the Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP)?

The duty of the project supervisor for the design process is to ensure co-ordination of the work of designers throughout the project.

The PSDP must:

Advise the Client of the requirements of the Construction Regulations and the roles of PSDP & PSCS.
Identify hazards arising from the design or from the technical, organisational, planning or time related aspects of the project;
Where possible, eliminate the hazards or reduce the risks;
Communicate necessary control measures, design assumptions or remaining risks to the PSCS so they can be dealt with in the safety and health plan;
Ensure that the work of designers is coordinated to ensure safety;
Organise co-operation between designers;
Prepare a written Preliminary 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;
Corodinate the preparation of Temporary Work Certification:
Prepare a Safety file for the completed structure and give it to the client;
Notify the Health & Safety Authority and the client of non-compliance with any written directions issued.
The PSDP may issue directions to designers or contractors or others.

4. Can I have more than 1 PSDP assigned to a project or should there only be one?

A PSDP is appointed by the Client to oversee the coordination of the design work & design changes during the project. The PSDP can be either a person or a company, what is important is that the appointed PSDP is able to fulfil the responsibilities of the position.

The Regulations require that there be only 1 PSDP appointed for each independent project.

5. How long does the PSDP appointment last?

The appointment lasts from the commencement of the Design Process right through construction, until the Safety File is handed over.

6. What are the responsibilities of the PSDP?

These are as outlined above. These are clearly set out in the Construction regulations and subsequent HSA literature. These responsibilities are quite detailed and onerous on the PSDP.

7. Can the PSDP be prosecuted?

Yes. The PSDP can face the same wrath of the regulatory body, the HSA, as any one else. The responsibilities of the PSDP are very serious and must be treated thus. The Safety Management System regarding the role of PSDP which is used by the PSDP, can face the rigours of inspection at any stage, from commencement of design right through to the completion of the construction stage.

Numerous PSDP’s have been inspected by the HSA, many have been issued with Improvement Notices & Prohibition Notices over the past few years.

8. What liability does the PSDP carry?

This question is essentially answered in the answer to no. 7 above.

9. What could happen to me if I dont appoint a PSDP?

As the Client, you can be prosecuted and fined by the HSA for not complying with the Construction Regulations, if you do not appoint a PSDP.

10. Where can I get more information about the PSDP role?

Contact HSS at 1890 600 666, email us at info@hssireland.ie. The HSA also have very good advisory information on their website: www.hsa.ie.

11. Who can perform the role of PSDP?

HSS have been performing this role since the Construction Regulations were implemented in 2006. To date we have been appointed as PSDP on construction projects to the value of almost €1billion. We have a dedicated team of Engineers who can assist with performing this role.

12. Does a PSDP have to be appointed to every construction project?

No. A PSDP is required where work is undertaken at a trade, business or undertaking for commercial purposes. For example, it is not required for a private single domestic dwelling project.

Additionally, there is no need for an appointment if:

the project shall last for less than 30 working days
if the project shall last for less than 500 person days
if the project is not more than routine maintenance, cleaning decoration or repair
if the project does not involve a ‘particular risk’
if there is not more than 1 contractor.